After what seemed like a very long week, I'm not complaining, I'm back at Fitness Ridge in sunny St George. The number one question I've been asked by many is; "how did you do at home"? Last week I had a very busy work week with many meetings scheduled, including client and other business lunches. In the past, these would have been perfect reasons for me to "just get by", so to speak. But this week was different. I had to make some mental adjustments as I started feeling guilty for 
eating "extra" calories outside scheduled meal times. But, because I was tracking my calories, I was always able to talk myself off the guilt ledge because I never ate more than 1800 calories (except one day where I indulged and ate a whopping 2200) Also, I went hiking very early with Rach 5 mornings and burned anywhere from 450 to 700 calories each hike, according to my new friend Mr Polar monitor. In the end, I lost 5 lbs this week...pun intended. (my wife will hope most of you didn't get that, but oh well.)
eating "extra" calories outside scheduled meal times. But, because I was tracking my calories, I was always able to talk myself off the guilt ledge because I never ate more than 1800 calories (except one day where I indulged and ate a whopping 2200) Also, I went hiking very early with Rach 5 mornings and burned anywhere from 450 to 700 calories each hike, according to my new friend Mr Polar monitor. In the end, I lost 5 lbs this week...pun intended. (my wife will hope most of you didn't get that, but oh well.)In earlier posts I've mentioned the real value to this place is the "mental reset" that takes place. I want you to know, I am still by no means "fixed". I still have those crazy thoughts of losing weight faster by eating all the KFC I want and no bread, or drinking lemonade and red pepper for two weeks straight or, making enough cabbage soup to feed a small army (if you recognize these diets, seek help!). However, I have been given the tools to ground myself in reality and deal with these ill conceived thoughts. I am getting better and better with every time I am able to ground myself in a proper mindset and abandon the "lose weight quick" thoughts and ideas. I expect this will continue to get easier and better over time.
Earlier, I mentioned there was a day that I consumed about 2,200 calories. I really started beating myself u
p over this. Then I looked at the numbers. That calorie amount coupled with the 700 calorie burn I got while climbing the "Y" trail, still equalled a net negative caloric intake for the day...and I had even had a cookie, or two. So, I splurged a little and had some cookies and milk. Bottom line, I still lost weight for the day! This reminded me of all those times I would sabotage myself, maybe by eating on cookie while I was supposed to be carb free. You know what I would do then? I would tell myself I ruined my diet for the day and so would have to begin again tomorrow. I would then follow up that solid thought process with a solid action plan by hitting Taco Bell for a Nacho Bell Grande, McDonald's for a double cheeseburger and fry and then Subway (the healthy choice) for a foot long cold cut combo. Why, because it was the last time I was going to eat my favorite foods from those places because the very next day, I WAS GOING TO BEGIN AGAIN! Any idea how many times I've begun again in a week...a month...a year...over 10 years? Me neither, but enough to put on an extra 50 lbs over and above what I had already gained. Now that's solid thinking!
p over this. Then I looked at the numbers. That calorie amount coupled with the 700 calorie burn I got while climbing the "Y" trail, still equalled a net negative caloric intake for the day...and I had even had a cookie, or two. So, I splurged a little and had some cookies and milk. Bottom line, I still lost weight for the day! This reminded me of all those times I would sabotage myself, maybe by eating on cookie while I was supposed to be carb free. You know what I would do then? I would tell myself I ruined my diet for the day and so would have to begin again tomorrow. I would then follow up that solid thought process with a solid action plan by hitting Taco Bell for a Nacho Bell Grande, McDonald's for a double cheeseburger and fry and then Subway (the healthy choice) for a foot long cold cut combo. Why, because it was the last time I was going to eat my favorite foods from those places because the very next day, I WAS GOING TO BEGIN AGAIN! Any idea how many times I've begun again in a week...a month...a year...over 10 years? Me neither, but enough to put on an extra 50 lbs over and above what I had already gained. Now that's solid thinking!Being honest with yourself can hurt. Asking yourself the tough questions can be rough. I started doing that about a year ago and it 
wasn't the most pleasant experience. But, I was able to to get to a place where I could, very critically, look back on the decisions that had got me to that particular point in my life. I didn't just identify the bad because their were a lot of good ones too. I analyzed them all and hatched a plan to adjust my path just enough to get me on course with the guy I wanted to be, the guy I envisioned in my dreams as a younger man and the guy my wife and kids deserve. I like the path I am on. Although I have allot of work ahead, The view looking down is getting better and better!
wasn't the most pleasant experience. But, I was able to to get to a place where I could, very critically, look back on the decisions that had got me to that particular point in my life. I didn't just identify the bad because their were a lot of good ones too. I analyzed them all and hatched a plan to adjust my path just enough to get me on course with the guy I wanted to be, the guy I envisioned in my dreams as a younger man and the guy my wife and kids deserve. I like the path I am on. Although I have allot of work ahead, The view looking down is getting better and better!Picture One--My typical breakfast in the morning while at home...I love me some southwestern eggs and toast!
Picture two--Trail marker from the Y trail. This is sacred ground. When I got to the top, I saw 2,000 young men warriors dressed in blue outlining the Y with their leader, who looked like Bronco Mendenhall, hoisting a banner high in the air...I also was very dizzy and hadn't had much water.
Picture three--View from the top of the Y, looking down on BYU campus and home of the greatest, most storied football program in Provo...and possibly all of UT County!
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