No Pain, No Gain

Quick update: I now weigh 246 lbs., which is 7 pounds total weight loss. I feel like I'm losing all my weight at a natural, healthy pace and I feel great!

I know it's been awhile since my last post, but I assure you that everything is going according to plan. To follow up on some of my goals, I spoke with a trainer from Vasa Fitness (highly recommended, by the way--it's free for a one time consultation!) and we talked about my goals and what I can do to get there. Here are the things he mentioned:

1) With my running, I need to lift as well. In my mind (and I was naive to this), I thought that lifting would cause you to bulk up. Because of this, I kept telling myself that I just want to burn fat and not gain muscle. Well, unbeknownst to me, MUSCLE BURNS FAT! Muscle increases your metabolism which burns and decreases fat. Simply running wouldn't cut it (no pun intended). This makes my experience at the gym that much more fulfilling. I love it!

2) I'm still tracking my calories with MyFitnessPal. Along with that, I'm also making sure I eat small meals (Apple, Orange, Cucumbers, etc.) every 2-2.5 hours. This tells my body that I don't need to store fat and that its satisfied.

3) On a nutritional standpoint, I am not eating ANYTHING bad for me after 5:00pm. Rather, my dinners will be the lightest meal of the day, full of lean meats (chicken is a good source, not fried though) and vegetables. This way, I don't store unhealthy fats while I sleep and in that case, gain weight.

I must say, with this whole transition to a healthier lifestyle, my body feels as if its going through MAJOR withdrawals. But, it's worth it. Would I like to eat whatever I want and not have to worry about the consequences? OF COURSE! However, I know how important health is for the body, mind and spirit. That alone, motivates me to keep pushing, keep striving and never giving up! Yeah, there's pain (both physically and mentally), but like they always say: NO PAIN, NO GAIN!

Little drops can fill an ocean

Quick weigh in for me! I started out at 253 and I now weigh 250! My body already is starting to go through withdrawals from the food I would have normally eaten. Unfortunately, because my body isn't used to this change, I'm starting to get sick. But, I spoke with a Health Coach who's in my ward and she told me that that is completely normal, which is a good sign for me! Just need to keep on keepin' on!

This last week has been pretty basic as I've tried my best to form good habits with a lot of consistency. I'm eating better by counting my calories through MyFitness Pal (seriously...DOWNLOAD THIS APP!). I'm exercising on a regular basis through running, playing basketball, etc. Also, I'm trying to get more adequate rest, because I will start waking up at 4:30 to workout. I know that all of this seems simple, but when you put it together, results will come! I know it!

Today, my brother Landon asked me if I wanted to run a half marathon with him on April 18th. Knowing what my goals are, and knowing that I've ran a half marathon before, I accepted the challenge and registered! Next week, I will start my 13 week training for the half marathon and will continue to inch closer and closer to my goals!

It's an exciting time! I know, through experience that if you put your mind to anything difficult, you can accomplish it. Not only will you accomplish your goal, but you will exceed it, if you put in the work! Thanks goes out to all those who support me: my friends, family and most importantly, my rockstar wife, Brittany! Thanks guys! LIFE IS GOOD!

And so it begins...

Day 1:

Started off on a great note! I downloaded the MyFitness Pal app, which will allow me to track my exercises and meals/snacks each day (I highly recommend this app, by the way). My goal caloric intake for each day (so far) is 2200. Today, I only ate 2000 calories and had smaller portions, with snacks throughout the day (oranges, apples, carrots and hummus)

I also exercised at Vasa Fitness! I ran for 2.5 miles, burning 500 calories and I also sat in the steam room for 20 minutes, hoodie and all! After working out, I came home, had half of a sweet potato at 6:30 and surprisingly, wasn't hungry the rest of the night and yet, I had more energy than I thought!

My abs have been hurting as of late. I figure this is a good thing because my stomach and abs are used to having more food each day. Is this a common thing to experience pain in the abdominal area when you are beginning to cut back on what you eat? Thoughts and comments would be much appreciated.

I haven't had the chance to weigh myself just yet. I figure I'm still at the same weight, but I have a feeling that as I keep up these good habits, hard work will pay off and I'll begin to shed these pounds!

In the Marshall Islands, there's a phrase they use for progression: Jidik kon jidik. In English, that simply means little by little. This whole process will take time, but little by little I will be successful.

Day 1 of the rest of my life

This is it! I'm officially buckling down and taking control of my life! For those of you that know me, I've been "large of stature" for a long time. I've had my peaks (310 lbs.) and valleys (220 lbs.) and the occasional uphill and downhill climb. As it stands right now, I weigh 253 lbs. I can honestly say that I don't like the situation I am in physically. Sure I can play sports and function day to day, but I feel like something is holding me back. As corny as it sounds, my weight is holding me back to a happier life. No more excuses! Time to change!


I'm a firm believer that if you don't have a goal written down and shared with others, you won't achieve it. With that being said, below are a list of goals I have: 

1) Exercise at least 30 minutes a day (except for Sunday). This includes running at least 2 miles, focusing on specific areas of the body, etc.

2) Balanced eating and smaller portions. Having a healthy breakfast that may consist of: oatmeal, eggs, granola, avocado on toast, etc. Also, cutting back on portions. (i.e. one plate).

3) Counting calories. I recently downloaded the MyFitness Pal app which allows me to 1) count my calories of the foods I've eaten that day along with 2) tracking the calories I've lost via exercise.

4) Water, water, water. I have cut out soda, sugary drinks and everything else besides water. The occasional Gatorade after a workout is fine, but I will be drinking water in greater abundance than I have before.

5) Lose 3-4 pounds a month. Like I said, I am currently 253. I want to get down to 213 by the end of the year. I did the math and that would require me to lose 3-4 pounds a month in order to achieve that goal.

6) Run a half-marathon this summer. I ran the American Fork Canyon Half last summer and it was awesome! I want to do that again this year.


Here are two things I've done to kick start my goals:


1) Signed up for a Health Challenge with a health coach in my LDS ward. Here's a link to the site, in case you're interested or you would like to contact her with any questions: https://www.meltdownchallenge.com/teamchallengedashboard/challengeinformation/1904

2) I've set up an appointment with a specialist at Vasa Fitness to talk about my goals, nutrition plans and a workout regimen that I can do to achieve my goals.



I'm VERY excited about what the future holds! I know that it will be tough and there will be times where I feel like I will want to quit, but that is where YOU come in. I need your help! I need to be held accountable if I don't do my workouts. I want people to continue to encourage me and motivate me to succeed. I know all of the work has to be done by me, but I believe that support in doing something difficult is beneficial.

2015 is the year for a NEW BEGINNING!