dunc3862’s BodyBlog

Well… yesterday was a good day with family.  It was our first Thanksgiving without my mother, and as I got up early yesterday and got in God’s Word, the truth came flooding in that the thing I was truly thankful for was the fact that God loved my mother so much that he allowed his own Son to be born as a baby, live a perfect life, influence all of time and humanity, and be crucified as a blood sacrifice to be raised again on the third day in order to conquer death.  And all of this was done for the redemption of sin.  It is because of this very act of unconditional love that my mother is now Leukemia free, and spending eternity with our Lord.  And the greatest truth is that this same free gift of salvation already belongs to me and my family. And furthermore it is available to all who believe on the name of Jesus Christ. So although this life is tough due to the sin that is in it.  Christ has prepared a place for us where there is no sin, there is no suffering, and there is no pain.  The book of James states that this life is just a vapor, and as I reflect on the fact that it has been almost a year since my mother passed.  I can’t believe the time has flown this fast.  I certainly realize that God’s Word is true.  Life is just a vapor, but eternity lasts forever!!!  Wednesday night my oldest son and I had our monthly date night, and a country song came on that one of the Statler brothers wrote.  And in the song he mentions holding his mom’s hand as she died.  He referenced that 1000 angels that were there to carry her home.  Will asked me about that.  And I had to tell him the truth.  That I too held my mothers hand last December 11th at 3:50 PM when she passed away. I explained to him that in the very moments before his Grammy passed away her eyes opened up, and she stared intently at a scene somewhere off in the distance.  When we asked her what she saw, she replied "Jesus"!  She said His name 3 times before she passed away in that last minute or so of her life her on earth.  Then as the last breath went out of her, there was a peace and a hush that entered the room where all of us were holding onto her hands and feet.  And I told Will that it had to be the very Angels in our presence that were delivering my mother \ his grammy to heaven.  It was a feeling and a sense of awe and peace…  And since the day she passed, the reality has set in to me that as the Bible says, this earth really is not our home.  And we were created to have a vibrant relationship with our Creator, but because of satan and sin, we have separation.  Praise  be to God that he made a way for us to be restored into a right relationship with Him, and that my mother was and more importantly now IS a believer.  That is the truth that most people don’t realize…. One day everyone will be a believer in God, and His Son Jesus Christ.  One day everyone will confess this truth.  But some will confess from Heaven, and unfortunately some will confess from Hell…  If only the later had believed in the truth of Christ.

I did eat a little off course yesterday.  I didn’t fall off the wagon and wake up this morning in a fog with gravy all over my face and a headache, but I did eat a normal Thanksgiving meal, a little desert, and of course leftovers for dinner.  Needless to say I have a date with some steel balls with handles on them this morning that will certainly exploit any bad nutrition that has entered my system.  I am planning on weighing in the morning, but honestly may skip if I am weighing heavy at home.  Not sure my mental state wants to handle a big gain!  Have a great weekend!

1 Corinthians 9:24-27!!!

Results from weed 22 are in: Dad was down 3.2 lbs. for a new total of 58.6 lbs.; I was down 5.4 lbs. (2 week total) for a new total loss of 52.2 lbs.; Matthew was down 2.6 lbs. for a new total of 70.4 lbs.; and Mark was down 1 lbs. for a new total of 46.8 lbs.  Not too shabby…

I had a great week of eating very clean, and working out very hard.  I got in 3 swims for a mile each time, and had 3 great KB workouts.  This week I am starting week 6 of my second 12 week cycle of kettlebell training that was written by my RKC trainer.  The workout  patterns change every 4 weeks.  So I could conceivably use the same program over and over, and just keep going up in KB weight.  I am in the 4 week section of timed workouts right now.  Things like one arm swings for 30 seconds per arm, clean & presses for 30 seconds per arm, goblet squats for 30 seconds, etc.  It is a pretty tough segment, but worth it.  I am using a 53 lbs KB for get ups, but a 44 KB for most other work.  I am going to start using my 53 for 2 handed swings as well. The goal for me at this time is to increase my work load capacity, not strength.  Thus allowing me to burn fat, and raise my resting metabolism.  Workouts are typically 45 minutes plus or minus 5 minutes.  And my heart rate usually max’s out at 168 - 172 with an average of 153 for the entire time.  After my weight loss goal is hit in July of 2008, I would like to train for 2 months specifically to see if I can get the Rite of Passage knocked out by my 40th Birthday on September 1st.  That would be a great accomplishment!!

The whole family is fixing to head to the YMCA.  I will get my swim in, the boys will shoot some b-ball, and my wife and daughters will head to the gym.  The girls of the family have been doing some Zumba lately as well.  Which is halarious to watch!

Have a great week! I will continue to discipline my body and make it my slave.  1 Corinthians 9:24-27.

Looking forward to the weigh-in tomorrow.  This will be the first weigh-in lately that all of the Duncan boys have made it to at the same time, so it’ll be fun.  I traveled to Atlanta and back yesterday, and ate perfect…And I busted my rear with my trusty Kettlebell this morning.  While my cohorts were drinking micro-brew beer and eating pizza last night, I was enjoying a spinach salad with chicken on top and balsalmic vinegrette dressing.  It was worth it. 

 For anyone that actually reads this blog…check in tomorrow mid-morning and I will have the latest news on our journey!

This has been as perfect a week of eating and excersize as I have ever had so far!!! My eating has been absolutely clean.  No nibbles or missing any points! My workouts have been intense.  Kettlebells are highly addictive, but they absolutely will kick your rear end!  I am expecting a big loss this week.  Been watching some of The Biggest Looser, it does give a little inspiration to see 300 plus lbs. guys getting normal sized by the end.  Especially the ones that are doing it at home because they have been kicked out of the house.  Those people are living lives just like I am, and it is proof that I don’t have to be in a sterilized environment with a personal trainer living with me in order to succeed on this journey.  I would like to pass the KB Rite of Passage by my 40th birthday.  That’s 200 snatches with a 53 lbs. KB!!!  My workout partner did the 200 with a 44 lbs., but he couldn’t get thenumber with a 53.  What a birthday present that would be!!!  Well, it’s time to head to the pool and knock out a mile.  My whole body is tight, and I can feel the effects of my workouts this week, so the pool will be a welcomed workout.  Have a great day!  

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 is my focus.

Got my 36 laps in at the pool.  One mile…  It was not as smooth as the last few weeks in the pool.  And it took me almost a minute more.  I started a different series of KB workouts, and my shoulders and arms were a little tired from yesterday’s workout I guess.  I have eaten clean again today, with 1.5 weight watchers points left on the day.  May eat a little 1 point popcorn in a while if I get the munchies.  Looking forward to my weigh-in this week.  I am still sticking with my goal of having 26 lbs. off by December 31st!  

Happy to say me scale weight is below my low point a couple of weeks ago.  I hope to show a 6 lbs. plus loss on Saturday since I missed a weigh-in due to travel.  Working out hard, but more importantly I am eating very clean.  Still have to get in my mile swim for the day today though. 

 Have a good week!

Here are the weigh in results for week 21…Dad lost another .8 lbs for a new total of 57 lbs.  Matthew lost 4.6 over the last 2 weeks for a new total of 67.8 lbs.; and Mark lost 1.2 lbs. for a total of 45.8 lbs.  I did not make it to the weigh in due to my flight delays coming back from FL on friday night.  I didn’t get home and in the bed until 3:30 AM, and did not wake up for the 7:30 AM weigh-in.  

I did eat great at the conference though, and I got in some excersize.  Though I will have to say that traditional weight lifting and traditional cardio is such a bore after doing kettlebells for the last 6 months.  I mean, it really isn’t that hard to just push weights as compared to get-ups, clean & presses, swings, and snatches!!!  There was plenty of temptations as far as food is concerned though.  Every break was filled with desserts, candybars, cookies, and such.  But after telling everyone about my family’s efforts to loose weight, I wasn’t about to be caught cramming crap in my mouth.  I did drink a ton of coffee.  For some reason it satisfies urges to eat for me.  I should have a great weigh-in this Saturday for a 2 week total.

Numbers for week 20 are in on the Duncan boys: Dad lost 2.2 for a new total of 56.8 lbs.; I was up 1.2 for a new total of 46.8; Matthew did not weigh in due to the shoulder surgery he had last Tuesday (his shoulder has a lot of swelling from the surgery), and Mark was down 1.6 for a new total of 44.6 lbs.

Well…as I was worried about, I was up for the week on my weight!!  I know why, it was due to horrible eating last Saturday.  I let me guard down after loosing 9.8 lbs. in 3 weeks, and it cost me.  Also, the stress eating on last Tuesday afternoon while worrying about the election when I slipped up and ate the chicken strips & chicken sandwhich.  I do think I had some water retention from the homemade chicken soup my daughters made on Thursday night…I continued my intensity of workouts.  But as my KB trainer told me,"you can’t out snatch a donught."  Meaning excersize will never make up for bad food choices…I know this and just got a little off track.

As promised, or threatened depending how you look at it, my week 20 pic’s are going up this morning.  My bodyfat did drop a little more this week and I hope the comparison pics show some progress as well.

Have a great week.  I am headed to Orlando for a conference.  It is a very nice resort with a great gym, so I will be able to get in some great workouts.  I just need to eat clean.  I’ll be back after midnight on Friday, so I’ll have to kick myself out of bed for the weigh-in, but I’ll do it!

Weighing heavy this morning…not sure why.  I ate great for the last 2 days.  I woke up at 4 am this morning, so I went ahead and made me some coffee using the ole French Press.  Man it’s good stuff as compared to traditional coffee makers!  I have a men’s group that meets every Friday morning at 6:15 AM, so I am going to get my workout in at 5 so I can just get ready at the Y and be at my meeting on time.  That way the last kb workout for the week is knocked out before I start my work day.

Thinking about a fast today to make sure my weigh-in is strong.  I really want to make that 50 lbs. mark tomorrow!!!  My wife said to go ahead and do it.  I wonder if that is cheating? Well, I’ll think about it while working out.

I will be posting my latest 4 week update pics in the morning.  So be on the look out for any changes!

Just finished spending some time in the Word…Proverbs 24:5 says "A wise man is strong, Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength." Let that be a motivator for us all as we seek to live out a purposeful and disciplined lifestyle in the areas of eating clean and fitness.

Heading to the Y to get in my mile swim!!!  Weight is still up a little from my fall into fried chicken sandwhich 2 days ago…Have to push it to show a loss this week and avoid the ridicule of my bro’s and Dad!!!