http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal.asp?id=AFLBANDWAGON AFLBANDWAGON's Blog on SparkPeople, home of free diet plans and a healthy living community http://assets2.sparkpeople.com/assets/nav/logo_spark.gif http://www.sparkpeople.com/ http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4692937 Having two test in a row on the new lifestyle plan. <BR> <BR> Last night my family took my wife to her fav. mexican restaurant. Did really well. But that darn cake i got her from a really famous place here called Ambrosia did me in. I had two big pieces. :). But unlike before that doesnt bother me, I am doing a lifestyle change this time not a commando hard core all or nothing. That is where I failed. I succeeded on that hard core plan, lost all the weight only to relapse because that plan i... Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:29:26 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4686899 Even though in a sense I am starting over where I started the last time I have learned a lot. I should be able to take those lessons and turn them into sustainable weight loss. One important thing I learned is I need to eat for health and not eat to lose weight. As long as I learn to eat correctly the weight will come off (which it is). May be not as fast as the first time, but in a way I can take it off and keep it off. <BR> <BR> I also learned I need to mix up my workout routine, before ... Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:22:17 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=3773231 Work has been crazy, kids activities have been crazy, life has been busy. I cannot believe I have let these things take control of me again. Instead of me managing these items I let them manage me. Working on getting my focus back and charging ahead. What I love and wouldnt change is that I have been thrusted into being a Scout leader, Assistant football coach for my sons flag football team etc... but I have let the amount of time needed has caused me to fall and stumble. Working on picking... Tue, 9 Nov 2010 15:40:56 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=3470250 Who would of thought after losing so much weight, I would find a way to struggle. This is good, it is something I am facing head on. I wont lie, I ignored it for a very long time (2 months). But because of the last 8 months of hard work it is hard to ignore. I have this little voice in the back of my mind yelling, DON'T GO BACK!!! I really dont want to go back to my old self. So what do I do, I brush off the cobwebs and pick up the pace. It's funny, I am still working out each week. I am... Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:11:54 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=3446432 After so much success, I have been at a standstill for a few months. I put on 5 pounds here and there, then lose it... I will be honest. I miss that Spark I had a few months ago. I mean, I still work out, I still run in races, I still run a lot. But I can’t put my finger on what it is that I have lost over the last few months. I have fallen prey to binge eating again. I do it, correct it, do it again. A far cry from when I was laser focused. I still have the 20'is pounds I need to lose ... Mon, 19 Jul 2010 09:51:23 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=3379255 <BR> Uncertainty: the quality or state of being uncertain <BR> Emotion: agitation or disturbance caused by strong feelings <BR> Commotion; a scene of noisy confusion or activity <BR> Devotion: strong enthusiasm and admiration for somebody or something <BR> Motivation: a feeling of enthusiasm, interest, or commitment that makes somebody want to do something, or something that causes such a feeling <BR> <BR> Tony Robbins once said that in order to make a decision to change you must get distur... Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:31:25 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=3213491 Boy has it been busy. My organization hired a new CIO a few months back, he has hit the ground running, doing some wonderful things for the organization. With that being said I am responsible for the contracts and Sourcing of products to support him. So basically I have been hammered since that time. All amazing, exciting and fun, but it has meant that I needed to focus much more there. The good news, I may have added a few pounds but I have also been working out like a madman. I also real... Mon, 10 May 2010 09:46:05 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=3095380 This last weekend I finally had enough. When I started this journey I originally went from 42 inch waist to 34 (or at least I thought) and I stared to notice that my 34's were driving me crazy. I havent really dropped weight in a few month but I havent gained either. I've noticed I am becoming more toned and my clothes were starting to get loose again. So that brings me to this weekend, I was shopping with the family with no intent to purchase clothes. As I was at one of the stores I saw... Thu, 8 Apr 2010 11:43:11 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2920355 I have been hammered at work and home lately. Just Stress on top of Stress. Which has caused me to pick up a few bad habits again. Its funny, even though this is the case I am still doing well, not as well as I would like but I am hanging on. I have to pick up the pace and lose this last 15 or so pounds. I promised myself that I would do it for my birthday in the middle of may. So I still have some time but its coming fast. I cant slip, i need to refocus and that is my theme for the week... Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:32:03 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2862993 I did an intense 2 mile run then jumped on the bike. I pushed hard and the sweet just started to pour. I felt so pumped and pushed until I almost fell over. LOVE IT Tue, 9 Feb 2010 20:31:55 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2859082 Did over 8 miles today. Really enjoyed it. Mon, 8 Feb 2010 23:29:48 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2852836 All my life when someone would ask who is my fav football team I would always say "by default the SAINTS". There always seemed to be a joke or two thrown my way. But all that has been changing over the last few years. Now when someone ask I just say the Saints. I used to make a football field in front of our house and used a tone of spraypaint cans and made the saints logo in one endzone and my EA Spartans Logo (High School) in the other endzone. In the last 41 years of my life I never tho... Sun, 7 Feb 2010 16:32:23 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2807059 Its the furthest and the longest I have ever run in my life at one time. I am so happy and it felt soooo good. Now That I feel like I am ready for my 5 k on the 6th of next month I am now going to focus on getting ready for my 10k on the 20th of next month. Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:39:33 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2797291 Preparing for a 5k and then a 10k next month. Cant wait. I have a practice run this week to officially go 10 miles. I have been doing 6 and 8 but never had the time to do 10. Going to be a fun week :) Mon, 25 Jan 2010 23:08:31 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2758862 Spent time with the family, watched some football and relaxed. It has been very nice. Sun, 17 Jan 2010 19:53:50 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2751592 When you see what is going on in Haiti you realize just how lucky you are. As painful as it is, I think its important to look and not turn away. Its so easy to not look because its so horrific. Regardless of beliefs or differences its important to do anything you can to help. Not just with this situation but everywhere. We are all citizens of this world. It makes me realize that the challenges I face in life right now, that I think are large, are actually really small in consideration. Fri, 15 Jan 2010 22:19:26 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2737707 Been sticking to my goals, doing well for the second week. Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:02:13 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2732145 Spent some time today updating my daily weight routine. Loving it. Mon, 11 Jan 2010 22:56:44 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2726239 I just did a waliking day today. Sun, 10 Jan 2010 22:28:09 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2719660 I had a hour for Card and an hour for weights... BOY DO I FEEL GOOD. I ran 3 miles in 30 min, then hit the bike and did 5 miles in 20. The rest of 10 min was my cool down. Then the weights was beautiful. What a WONDERFUL DAY!!!!!!!! I love it. Sat, 9 Jan 2010 14:31:10 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2717203 I have had an absolute WONDERFUL workout week!!!! Every day was awesome. Fri, 8 Jan 2010 22:27:40 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2712365 I cant wait till I can run outside again. Below 35 doesnt appeal to me :) Thu, 7 Jan 2010 22:36:44 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2707060 Ready to go to bed, plenty to spark today but too tired Wed, 6 Jan 2010 22:56:05 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2701685 Last year I created a list of 100 items of Gratitude, I am beginning that list now and will post it later. I havent opened the old list in about a month so it will be interesting to see what new and what has changed. Tue, 5 Jan 2010 23:57:03 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2695557 Just got to keep the focus and spark. Mon, 4 Jan 2010 23:23:38 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2688388 I love my new routine, I love waking early going to work then hitting the gym at lunch. I JUST LOVE THAT. I miss the steady pace that gives me. I dont know about you but I am ready for this new year!!!!! Sun, 3 Jan 2010 21:09:19 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2662390 Spending time today getting my site geared up for 2010. Little more to do, changed the site color to red because that's the intensity I feel for the new year. Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:21:43 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2661247 It is so easy to stop short and say, well I made a good run being close is better than not getting there at all. Well not this time, I have a new mindset and I will meet my objective. This time I have a plan, goals and the motivation to do so. I have the power of Sparkpeople behind me. A vast network of amazing people who have the same struggles as me. Its going to be fun, its going to be amazing and here I come!!!!! Mon, 28 Dec 2009 10:51:18 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2655956 Every year with my boys and wife just gets better and better. Its like a fine wine, a painting and a masterpiece. I just put the boys to bed and they had tears of happiness, sad to see the day go. Today was so special words cannot express. All I can say is thank you God for doing so much for me. Thank you to my wife for giving me two loving sons. Thank you for this LIFE. Fri, 25 Dec 2009 22:43:56 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2654516 What does Christmas Eve Gratitude mean to me? Today as I sit watching my boys grow in anticipation for the wonderful night and morning before us I cannot stop and think of how important the last part of this year was to me. I was 265 this time last year. I was wearing over sized clothes because I thought that they hid what I was carrying. I felt guilty, angry and unhappy with who I was and had become. Fast forward to today and all that is gone. My wife bought me designer jeans yesterd... Thu, 24 Dec 2009 19:28:01 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2653278 I had every intention to go to the gym today, but I really was excited to get out of work and be with my family. So we ended up going to get Sushi. I ate well and healthy. After that we spent a couple hours shopping and in traffic. Then we came home and had dinner, my wife picked up pizza and I just couldnt bring myself to eat it. So I ran to the store and bought, lemon grass, Szhezuan, Shrimp and a ton of veggies. Whipped up a quick healthy meal with brown rice. So far so good. Then I ha... Thu, 24 Dec 2009 00:28:29 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2651395 All I have to say right now is keep the focus and Spark!!!! Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:19:46 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2648399 We had 3 gifts this holiday between my wife and I. The first was new leather jackets for both of us because its COLD and I lost so much weight my old one looked ridiculous on me. I felt like a 6 year old wearing daddy's jacket LOL.... So we both finally found some and WOW what deals we got. How lucky, probably saved60% on each. The second gift was a new family PC, I had not bought a new pc for 7 years. So out with the old and in with the new. We just got that puppy in. The next gift was... Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:38:00 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2639366 Cant wait to get my run in tomorrow. Its been a wild last few days!!! Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:10:40 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2629696 Well I did it, wanted to run but it was raining. So you know what, I put on my jogging suit and hit the pavement. I got soaked up it made me feel so alive. What a great run. Sat, 12 Dec 2009 23:31:03 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2625563 Many people have been asking "How did you do it?”, I wish I could express how wonderful this makes me feel. I am just shocked and find it so crazy that I am so close to my goal. It is almost surreal. When people give me the compliments and ask “How did you do it?” I am so proud and humbled. I do everything I can to see if I can give them any glimmer of hope. I know how it feels, I felt it, I felt the same way they do. I had thoughts inside in my head like, "this is too hard", "I might a... Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:44:23 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2620931 I went for a run tonight, which by itself was an odd. It was by far my best and longest. I did 5 miles in 60 min. What was odd, I felt strange the whole run. Nothing bad or wrong just strange. I felt clear not cloudy just odd. To make it even stranger its actually 74 and humid. Then It was also kind of sad, i have been noticing not many people have their Christmas lights up this year? I wonder if its the economy or like? Even though we are just a few weeks away it doesnt feel like the end o... Wed, 9 Dec 2009 00:09:33 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2615280 Boy... Wife and Kids (Who I love more than anything), Work, end of year tons of projects to complete in 3 weeks. Holiday prep, Holiday shopping (Which we cant do because we have no one to watch the kids), Studying and have to take and pass 4 exams before end of year. I NEED TO buckle down. Cant let this eat into my workout time. Sun, 6 Dec 2009 22:07:52 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2606869 I just went through my profile that I setup when I first got on this site. I realized that I wasn't entirely honest. When I hit 245 I would get on the scale and my wife would say, "how much" and I would say 245, then at 250 she would ask the same thing and I would say 245 then all the way up to 265 I was saying the same thing. Last year when I joined the site for the first time I lost around 20, then I just stayed at 245. I guess I felt I was no longer lying so it was okay. Then the secon... Thu, 3 Dec 2009 10:10:52 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2606194 great run,and fun on weights... Good night Thu, 3 Dec 2009 00:43:32 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2603187 My grandfather had a hear attack a few days ago (just a week after my grandmother, his wife, had one also). My mother called this morn to tell the that Grandpa was going in for heart surgery as we spoke. He had 95% blockage close to the heart. I hung up the phone and the first thing I said out loud was "this is why I am doing this". Thats why I am working so hard to get healthy. I grabbed my keys told my emp, heading to the gym. I got on the tread mill determined. I was going to run 1 mile... Tue, 1 Dec 2009 23:32:19 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2599453 I wanted to thank all my SPARK friends on this site for all the support!!! This has been one of the greatest finds of my life. To stop and think of the amount of weight I have lost and a good part of it is because of this site and all the wonderful people!!!!! If I feel down I can read stories of others who have succeeded. If I feel tired I can read what others are doing to keep the spark going. I cant tell you how many times where I get home from work, put the kids to bed and just feel... Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:38:05 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2591076 Cooked all last night, woke 6am threw the turkey in the oven, ran out and did a 5k Turkey Trot. Got home at 9 went back to cooking and then spent the rest of the day with my beautiful family. My boys had a wonderful time with their Grandparents. I also did well with my cal's only the second time that i went slightly over my limit in over 110 days. If it wasnt for the extra wine :) oh well. I deserve a break. God Bless you all!!!! Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:19:12 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2587280 I have been kicking myself trying to figure out what has happened with a relationship of mine. I thank my wife for her wisdom in pointing out what is really going on here. The sad thing is, I do not think I can find a resolution for this and that is really sad. When I first started my journey the person I am speaking of said some really nasty things in his so called "Joking manner" some examples are "Sure you’re going to keep this up", "your just involved in a fad", "don’t get upset when yo... Wed, 25 Nov 2009 01:09:23 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2584634 It was nice, will run in morn. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:10:12 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2582014 Got fitted then hit the pavement tonight. Felt good. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:37:57 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2579550 Almost seems like its back to normal. Still tight in one area and still a little weak and sore . Even though I hardly ever think of it anymore. I am still being careful. I ran again without my brace and by far its the best I have felt. Matter a fact I slowed my workout down not because of my ankle today but because of the intensity of the workout. Thats a very big deal, its the first time my ankle was fine but my body asked to slow down. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:52:25 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2577565 I have been getting a lot of second looks lately, plus everyone is coming out of the wood work on my weight loss. Everyone is amazed at what I have done, they are saying some of the nicest things. Its been very humbling. I feel very blessed to have made such progress and I am very grateful to where I am as of today. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:02:57 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2573866 I have been working out, and I have been maintaining. I have been eating right, but for two weeks added some Cal's back in. I am still losing weight but things have slowed down. I actually think I needed to see what maintenance looked like and reflect on this journey I have been on. I have been over intense for about 80 days and think I needed a slight mental break. The good news is I realize I am happy in maint. and it does work and it does work for me. But now in my mind I have formulat... Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:55:13 EST http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2573172 I have been a bad boy today, but considering I still only did 1800 cals. The old days when I was bad i could have been 15000 cals. Big difference Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:09:24 EST