Sort of …

I got home the Sunday evening before Christmas.  I was fortunate to have Monday off, but was whirlwind busy at work Tues and Wed then back to work Friday.  We had the entire family on my Dad’s side down, plus I had to juggle in Christmas get togethers for my Fiance’s families … I can finally take a breather from all that stuff going on.

Unfortunately, even though I went to India, my wagon train did not.  I was unable to really work out while I was there.  All the hotel had was a outdoor swimming pool that was too cold to use an aerobics style room.  I put on a little weight, but fortunately my clothes still fit the same!

I unfortunately do not have any post contest pictures I can post yet, but here is one of the engagement photos from the first week of my contest.

I got selected as a participant in a weight loss challenge for a local morning show I listen to here in Dallas.  For 6 weeks I had a partner from the show and a personal trainer.  We worked out together 3 days a week and then extra exercise the other days.  I lifted weights, did treadmill and bicycle work, ab work, and I swam.  I swam a lot!  Swimming laps is such a great work out!  Gets the heart rate up and works the core.  I’ve falling back in love with swimming!!

Anyway, my partner and I lost more weight than anyone else in the 6 weeks!  Together we lost 50 lbs.  I lost 22.6 lbs and 22 and 1/4 inches all over.  I feel great.  I think I look MUCH better than I did.  And I’ve been given something to continue and build upon.

I am wearing my size 38 pants again for the first time in a decade!  It feels awesome!!  I still have about 25 more pounds I need to lose by February.  I want to be 220 lbs for my wedding.  Oh yeah,  I got engaged and am getting married on Valentine’s day.

Well, gotta get back to work.  I’m leaving the day after Thanksgiving to go to Bangalore, India.  Lots and Lots of stuff to get done between now and then.  I’ll try to get some updated photos up for everyone.

Keep the Faith!!

It’s true.  It’s true.

That’s where I’ve been rather than typing blog posts. lol

I decided to just jump back in and push the iron as hard as I could.  I planned a full body workout with a little cardio at the end. 

I did the full body workout on the machines with 3 sets of 10.  Made the full cycle.  I didn’t quite make the cardio workout.  Well, that is unless you count the brisk walk to the toilet where I proceeded to pray to the porcelain god. lol

As bad as that sounds, I love it when I push myself to that point.  The discomfort and lightheadedness just means that I worked hard. lol

Damn it’s good to be back!!

Keep the Faith!

My ear swole up to the size of Ninja Bill’s head! That’s not to say he’s stuck up or that his ego is too big, it’s just that if my ear swole up to the size of his arms then it probably would have ruptured!!! lol  (Yeah, Yeah.  Bill, gratuitous CW moment for you.  I see great things keep coming to you.  Keep it up Bro!!)  Anyway, why can’t I end up like Peter Parker when he got bit by the spider? I guess the one that bit me didn’t have enough radioactive protien that day.

Soooooooo … I’ll be getting back into the gym every morning before work again like I did before my blood pressure went up.  I’ve missed those early morning workouts.  The blood, the sweat, and the tears.  Not to mention the extreme pump and euphoria that follows an awesome workout.

My girlfriend, Lauren, has also asked me to help keep her motivated to get back into the gym and start her transformation.  One of the ways I did that was to get her signed up here on BB.com.  Her handle is PrincessFrog.  I know "The Circle" will make her feel as welcome as they have me!

Gotta run!!

Keep the faith!!

No more fighting for the Wii Fit and I can start pushing the iron again!  SOOOOOOOOO excited!!!  See y’all in the gym!!

Keep the faith!!

The problem is that since I got the Fit for MY Wii … the NON video game faction (see: everyone else in my house above the age of 6)  have been dominating the thing!  My sister, my brother-in-law, and of course my niece and nephew want to play.  Even my Mom and my Dad are starting to play!!  I swear, I have to schedule time at like 3 AM to use the thing!!

I think I may do that … put up a calendar with times that people can schedule Wii time … yeah!  That’s what I’m going to do!

"Ok." it responded, "Your Wii fit age is 30."

"Sweet!" I said. lol  My sister also was playing on the Fit and her BMI said she was in normal range, but here Wii Fit age was 52! Woah!  We got a good laugh out of that.

Anyway, because of the blood pressure thing I’ve had to find alternate means of cardio exercise that get my heart rate up, but not too intense.  The Fit definitely fulfills the job.

The Fit’s sheer awesomeness is amazing!  It is SO much fun and I worked up a sweat faster than doing the treadmill or the elliptical.  Working hard and you don’t even realize it because you’re having fun playing the game!  I am really hoping I can actually see some results from this thing.  We’re going to find out since I am putting it in as my new exercise routine. 

I’ll be doing a little of all of the exercise categories.  They are Yoga, Strenght, Balance, and Aerobic.  My sister, her husband, and I were having a blast trying to out perform each other on the different games.

So all in all, great fun for everyone.  I’ll be sure to keep everyone updated!

Keep the faith!

More importantly, I’ve had a good and a bad week.  One of the reasons I started working out again was because my doctor said I had to drop weight and get my blood pressure down.  He even put me on meds for awhile. 

As you can see by my results, I haven’t been very successful in the weight loss department, but I have dropped several inches of fat.  I went off my BP meds for a few months so we could check to see if the exercise was working.  Last week I checked my blood pressure … 160/90!  My first thought?  "Sweet!  I could barely get my arm in the sleeve!"

My Doctor said,  "You look great, but you need to keep losing weight.  Your BP is in hypertension range.  I know you hate them, but we need to put you back on the meds.  Why are you smiling?"

So I need to get off the bulking and work on the cutting.  If anyone has any suggestions for cutting regimes and diets, feel free to email me at shihando@yahoo.com.  Thanks in advance, but I need to drop the fat and get the BP under control.

Keep the faith!

Wish me luck!!

Keep the faith!