4 months

So, Saturday was 4 months since my first weigh in. I am now down to 404. I realized this weekend as I struggled with a visit to the Twin Cities how some of my past thinking still shows up now and then. I used the workout facility at the guest dorm of the seminary where I spent the weekend only once, though it was there the whole time. Because the facility did not have much for free weights, old "all-or-nothing" thinking really kicked in, and after using the facility Sunday evening, I had plenty of time Monday morning to do such before my tour of the school, but I never made the effort. As I drove home yesterday, I thought a lot about some of the struggles I've had recently with eating. It seems that subconscous thinging has shown up all over again, and when I'm in public, I stick to my guns quite well. When I'm alone, however, when I mess up once in the day, I let the day completely go to heck. This likely is something I will always struggle with to some degree, but as much as I can keep it a conscious thought, I should.

So far, it's been very exciting to hear folks' compliments as they see me for the first time. An old friend described me as "buff" yesterday as she had not seen me since bumping into each other in New Orleans last summer. I also used the inspiration of seeing my good friend Judd on Saturday night and his spirit overcoming all he has since basically the same time I started my journey. I had every intention of attempting to run a 5K at the end of the summer, and I've now committed myself to that. Not only that, but I'm going to wear one of Judd's "Team Yaeger" shirts as I run. He's been a tremendous inspiration to me as I've gone through this journey, and he will continue to be a great support and inspiration as I continue down this path.

If you see me on the street or drop me an email, please don't be afraid to ask how things are going. It's through the constant support of friends and family that I've made it this far, and I have a lot more work to do!

Friday lunch and afternoon snack

Lunch - Healthy Choice Cajun Chicken and Shrimp, Weight Watchers Cherry Cheesecake yogurt, and Powerade Zero Grape - 360 calories, 1g saturated fat, 900mg sodium, 57g carbohydrates, 6g fiber, 15g sugar, 21g protein

Snack - Granny Smith apple, natural almonds, carrots, Diet V8 Splash berry blend - 338 calories, 1g saturated fat, 233mg sodium, 56g carbohydrates, 9g fiber, 17g sugar, 7g protein

Friday breakfast and morning snack

Breakfast - Banana and milk - 211 calories, 0g saturated fat, 131mg sodium, 44g carbohydrates, 4g fiber, 12g sugar, 10g protein

Snack - Yoplait Light Red Velvet Cake yogurt, celery - 120 calories, 0g saturated fat, 141mg sodium, 22g carbohydrates, 1g fiber, 16g sugar, 6g protein

Thursday

Breakfast - Banana and skim milk - 211 calories, 0g saturated fat, 131mg sodium, 44g carbohydrates, 4g fiber, 12g sugar, 10g protein

Lunch - Select Harvest Crab soup, Muscle Milk Light Vanilla, Fiber One Strawberry yogurt, Powerade Zero Strawberry - 340 calories, 1g saturated fat, 1375mg sodium, 54g carbohydrates, 10g fiber, 23g sugar, 25g protein

Supper - Footlong Subway Club, Chicken Chowder Soup, water - 780 calories, 5g saturated fat, 3220mg sodium, 117g carbohydrates, 13g fiber, 16g sugar, 58g protein

Day's totals - 1331 calories, 6g saturated fat, 4826mg sodium, 215g carbohydrates, 27g fiber, 51g sugar, 93g protein

Wednesday afternoon snack and supper

Snack: Granny Smith apple, Carrots, and natural almonds - 178 calories, 1g saturated fat, 33mg sodium, 29g carbohydrates, 8g fiber, 1g sugar, 4g protein

Supper: Healthy Choice Chicken Pad Thai meal and V8 Diet Splash Tropical Blend - 350 calories, 1g saturated fat, 860mg sodium, 64g carbohydrates, 5g fiber, 26g sugar, 19g protein

Totals for Wednesday: 1149 calories, 4g saturated fat, 2385mg sodium, 197g carbohydrates, 22g fiber, 50g sugar, 55g protein

Wednesday lunch

Burger King Tendergrill sandwich w/o mayo, water - 380 calories, 2g saturated fat, 1130mg sodium, 51g carbohydrates, 4g fiber, 7g sugar, 25g protein

Wednesday morning snack

Yoplait Light Raspberry Cheesecake Yogurt and one stalk of celery - 120 calories, 0g saturated fat, 141mg sodium, 22g carbohydrates, 1g fiber, 16g sugar, 6g protein

Tuesday Supper/Wednesday Breakfast

Tuesday Supper - Subway Turkey and Ham footlong, 2 Powerade Zero drinks - 590 calories, 2g saturated fat, 2500mg sodium, 95g carbohydrates, 10g fiber, 13g sugar, 38g protein

Wednesday breakfast - Banana, Powerade Zero Strawberry - 121 calories, 0g saturated fat, 221mg sodium, 31g carbohydrates, 4g fiber, 0g sugar, 1g protein

Some goals going forward

Current weight is 420.

March 20, I will be going to Minneapolis to a fundraiser for a friend along with a tour that weekend at Luther Seminary. My goal is to be at 405 (75 lbs lost) by that date.

May 8 and 15, my two youngest brothers are graduating from high school and college, respectively. I would like to be 380 at that point (approximately 6 months from first weigh in, 100 lbs lost).

August 6-8 will be my cousin's wedding in Duluth, and I would like to be down to 350 (which would be just under 9 months, and 130lbs lost).

October 16 is my 31st birthday. I would like to be down to 325 by that date (just under 11 months and 155lbs lost).

Back!

I've not been great about posting on here....shame on me! I am working with folks at work, but I need to be focused on being accountable to myself as well.

Breakfast - Powerade Zero Mixed Berry, Sausage/Egg/Cheese Croissant from Gas Station - 474 calories, 13g saturated fat, 1203mg sodium, 23g carbohydrates, 1g fiber, 3g sugar, 16g protein

Lunch - Footlong Subway Club w/no cheese and the works, Diet v8 Splash Berry Blend - 720 calories, 3g saturated fat, 2520mg sodium, 119g carbohydrates, 11g fiber, 28g sugar, 52g protein

Workout - Bench Press - 5x245, 4x255, 3x265, 2x275, 1x305, 1x325, 1x335; and Squat - 5x315, 4x335, 3x365, 2x385, 1x405