Wrong Aheaded Project. My Final Post.

I want to first thank everyone for the feedback I have gotten. I'm still at 220 and haven't really gained much back. However, I've realized something about The 180 Project that might gotten me off to the wrong start to begin with. I started the project realizing that I need externals to motivate me. I needed to share with the world what I was doing, and hope for encouragement, feedback, and accountability. I got some, and that was great. I then placed a bold motivator to raise money in a pound for pound challenge of sorts where you'd donate for how many miles I ran or pounds I lost all to give to the Kampala Children's Centre. I got two pledges, and for those I am thankful.

Despite all those great and noble things to get myself to lose weight, there was one thing I was missing. I didn't REALLY want to do it. I felt I had too. I felt I needed to do it for my wife and kids. So, I placed externals in my life to motivate me to do that. That may work, for a while, but...in the end, I realized I didn't like myself enough to realize the goal, I didn't care for myself to really want to do what it takes to lose the weight. I really didn't want to do this project, I just wanted cheers from the crowd, and slaps on the hand to whip me into doing it.

What does this mean? I have no idea. The first step I guess is realizing that I need to really do this for ME. I have to want to care for myself for me, and not anyone else. I want to run and exercise because I like it, not because I feel I have to. With that being said, this is my final post for The 180 Project. I wasn't doing it for me, I was doing it for you guys, and I am glad people got inspired by it, but when I began to fail, I felt I was letting others down. That frustrated me more then the fact that I wasn't exercising or losing anymore weight.

Time to get busy knowing and caring for myself and seeing myself for the creation that God intends me to be, and loving myself because of that fact. Wish me luck this Sunday. I am running the 5k portion of the Half-Marathon that I was supposed to run. I haven't done a 5k since the beginning of May, so I need to get some training in before Sunday.

-Chris

Week 23 - Weigh-In and CT RACE IN THE PARK 2010

Well, this morning I was 219. I really tried harder this week on health eating in anticipation of the 5K I ran this morning.

Let me tell yo...running the 5K this morning was exhilarating. Last night I was pretty anxious. My knees were hurting as well as my Achilles on my right foot. So, I went to bed trying hard to relax. I got up at 5:30am. Showered, relaxed a bit in the shower, started drinking water. Ate half a roll, some Rice Chex, and an apple. I've read that you should never run on an empty stomach, but to eat a couple of hours before the race. Had a coffee on my way there, a small coffee...I've also read that a little caffeine can boost your race as well. I also had a Powerbar. This was an hour before the 8am start. I parked at work, and walked the 1/2 mile or so from there to the starting line. When I got there, I checked out the starting line, checked in my bag, and did a warm up jog/walk around the the park (Walnut Hill Park in New Britain). After that I stretched. Though, my stretching was interrupted by a downpour. I joined the rest of the racers in the bandshell and continued to stretch. The rain died down enough that I decided to check out the starting line again. It was about 7:45 now. I saw my cousin there which was great, because by then...I was doing a lot of slow deep breaths to keep the nerves in check. It was great having a familiar face there with me. Soon after I met up with a couple of co-workers. My cousin had just got off work (Third-Shift as a Cheshire Police Officer). Then it REALLY started to downpour. Which was very refreshing, though my cousin didn't really appreciate it. Thankfully, it only lasted a few minutes. The announcer told us all to walk up the starting line, and then the horn blasted an we were off. My cousin and I said our goodbyes because I knew my pace was slower then his. I got my music rolling and my watch ticking and I was golden. It was such a rush running with hundreds of other people. I couldn't contain how happy it made me to be a part of the event, I barely thought about running while in the park. Once we got out of the park, I was really encouraged by spectators cheering us on. I started looking around me for people I thought might be my pace and chose to follow them to keep a pace. I ended up with a first mile of about 9.5 minutes. During the second mile, I slowed...had to speed walk for a bit to lower my heart rate and breathing. I loved that there were people with cups of water handing them out. That was so cool. I always wanted to snatch a water from someone during a race, down it in my mouth and all down the front of me, and throw the cup to the ground. Ah, the simple things! Then, coming up on mile two I notice a familiar beauty of a red head in the distance standing by a stroller of two kids. MY FAMILY!! So encouraging to see them cheering me on, my little Gracie looked so proud, I ran over to them to just touch them before the final mile. The last mile was pretty tough. Some small hills and turns. I did my best to keep pace and keep my heart rate and breathing down. I knew I was going to need energy once I got back into the park. And so I did. Once back in the park, I could see the finish line in the distance, and over my music, I could hear the crowd. I threw off the headphones and let the cheers from the finish line be my music. I knew now was the time to give it my all. I was just shy over 30 minutes so, I bolted it. Everything in me wanted to walk it, but I was not going to be the pansy guy walking over the finish line. And so pushing toward the end...I MADE IT. 31 and half minutes! I don't have an exact time yet, because they hadn't printed the results by the time I left. Volunteers handed me some water at the end and I FELT GREAT!! :) The rain held off the entire race and it was cool and misty...perfect for running.

Well...there you have it, my first 5000 Meter Race. Onto training for a Half Marathon?? I don't know...I am thinking about switching my registration to the 5K on June 27th. I am enjoying the 5K right now so much that I think I don't want to force myself too much to the point where I might get hurt. 5K to Half Marathon is a big jump in 7 Weeks. What say all of you? Couple of more 5Ks, maybe a 10K? Hmmmm?

Week 22 - Weigh In Results

So far, I haven't lost any weight in several weeks. Been holding steady at 220lbs. Haven't really been cheating (that much), but I may need to kick the healthy eating up a notch. The hard thing is finding that balance now that I am running more. I know I am building muscle, and running just makes me hungry. I lost my 20lbs from eating less, eating well, and minimal running. I'm starting to run alot more now, so...my body is looking for more fuel.

So, overall all...I am feeling more positive. I am done with physical therapy on my shoulder (which just ate up two hours a week). I still have pain in my shoulder from time to time, but I've been told that may last up to a year, and as long as it doesn't get worse, then I am doing well. So far it just gets better and better, and stronger and stronger, so...I am not worried. I'm run/speed-walking at about a 11.5 mpm pace. I've run several faux "5k's" at about 35 minutes. I ran the 5k race course I'm running for Saturday this past Friday and will do it again tomorrow. Unfortunately, I accidentally cut a corner while running the course lowering the distance I ran, so...I want to go back and do it again to see my real time will be. I also want to try my new kicks!

So, be praying for a good run on Saturday the at the CT Race in the Park. A fundraiser for Breast Cancer Research. I want to make time (under 40 minutes)...which I have been, and I also don't want to look like a panting idiot! he he

Out!

Day 148 - Week 21

This isn't a way in, but I had what I think is the first victory I have had in a LONG time. I ran again today (second time this week), and I ran 3.2 miles, just over a 5k. I did it in 37 Minutes. Which is about what I wanted to be at race day. I wasn't even running the whole way, just speed walking and jogging. The CT Race in the Park 5k is May 8th, so...if I keep running every other day for the next two weeks at a similar pace, I should be fine for race day. :)

I also found this awesome website. www.run2r.com! The music may be cheesy for your standard listening, but...it's made for running. You can purchase it with a certain BPM (tempo) in mind. So, I had that going and I think it worked wonders. It kept me a a consistent pace the whole way. 156 BPM was my pace. Anyhow...check it out

Week 18 (I think) Weigh-In Results

I have been fluctuating between 215-220 for a while now. Got two runs in this week. Was hoping to run yesterday and today, but I've been on kid duty, so...I unless I'm running with a three and one year old, that's not going to happen. I've been realizing a lot of things about how tied my eating/ exorcise habits are to how I feel about myself and let's just say I haven't felt very good about myself lately. I see this whole project as a big failure. My shoulder hurts constantly. Life in general just seems like one big "have to" right now. I don't enjoy eating right, I don't enjoy running, I don't enjoy school. Let's just say, there isn't much I enjoy right now.

With that being said, I have forgone the 5K a the end of April in favor a 5K May 8th. I am still planning on the Half at the end of June, but unless I really pick up my training from here, I may be walking that Half, or hurting myself. I don't know.

Sorry for being a let down everyone! :(

Week 13 - Weigh In Results

Back to work, hoping to break the plateau I have been on. I've gotten a lot encouragement coming back to work on how thin I look. Though, I know I can do better, and get back in the game in terms of the pace at which I was losing weigh before. Also need to be running 3-4 times a week for the next several weeks before I make the big push to train the 10 weeks prior to my half marathon on June 27th. Video is kinda long, I was a bit chatty.

Week 12 - Weigh In

Well, no video folks. I have maintaining my weight at around 216 pounds now for the last couple of week. Haven't seen it go above 220 in about 4 weeks. However, tomorrow is the day I go back to work. So, I am so ready for a regular schedule again.

I have roughly 18 weeks until the Fairfield Half Marathon on June 27th. My training schedule I am taking from a guy named Brad Boughman from his book "Half Marathon Rookie", he maintains an excellent website called Marathon Rookie. He has a 10 week training program for beginner runners of Half Marathons. However, he stresses the importance of not starting his 10 week training cold, but to take 8 weeks running for at least 30 minutes 4 times a week. Then at the 10 weeks will amp up your training to focus on endurance running. I was basically running for 30 minutes at a time before my shoulder injury.

So, tomorrow morning I am off to the Y to use their indoor track, or maybe even run around my block, since it's been a little warmer lately. I will post a video weigh in on Friday morning and go over how my runs went this week. Good to be back in action.

Healthy Pancakes

Search Results

Fairfield Half Marathon Route

Day 55

Man...having an injury can really get you. Emotionally, physically...etc. I have been weighing in, but haven't been doing the video thing. My diet has its ups and downs, but without the benefits of a very good routine, I haven't found myself in quite the grove I was back at the beginning of January. My current weight is 216 pounds. It may be up from that, but it's been around there for the last three weeks. So, I've leveled a bit. I have gotten out to walk twice in the past week thanks to my Dad. Three miles last week, and four this week. It got me the chance to really test out the pedometer watch I got for Christmas, and to put on my running clothes. Gave me a taste again of what I have been missing. Also, I was able to take advantage of the the dry linear trail before the snow hit today. Looking forward to really getting into a pattern again and using the YMCA membership. I am officially signed up for the Fairfield Half on June 27th. I also have a 5k on April 18th and another 5k in New Britain in May. So, I really need to start keeping those in mind. For those of you following, I hope my backing off and healing from a shoulder injury as demodivated you at all. Please, stick to your goals. I noticed the other day that sporting clothing is 60% off right now, which seems like a good deal, but its a testimony to how diets fair by February in the US. Keep going everyone! :)

Week 7 - Weigh In Results

So, even being injured and trying to maintain healthy eating you can still lose weight. I lost 5.5 pounds this week after gaining a pound last week. That brings my weight to 220.5 pounds for a total loss of 19.5 pounds in 7 weeks. A total percentage of weight loss of 8.12%. :)

How am I doing it? Well, healthy breakfasts with good protein (egg whites, natural peanut butter), whole grains, staying away from processed stuff mostly. That includes "diet bars" and things like that. Salads for lunch. And a major player has been not eating maybe two hours before bed.

I heard someone say recently, "If you can make it, you can eat it". That obviously does not go for eating cakes and cookies you can make from home, but I would argue that a cookie made from scratch is better then ANY packaged cookie, and even some "low fat" cereal bars. So, I've been trying to remain as organic and non-processed as much as possible it has really helped.

Pray that my MRI this afternoon will come clean, and I can get my right arm moving again. This typing it hurting me right now. Gotta go!

Week 6 - Weigh-In

I weighed in last Saturday at 226, up one pound. I slipped on ice on Friday hurting my right shoulder, on top of the finger injury I have on my left hand. My left hand is healing fine, but my shoulder is another story. I have an MRI on Friday, and I'm not scheduled to go back to work until Jan. 21. My routine has been shot and while I have continued to maintain some healthy habits, I haven't been as consistent. Haven't done any running in over a week. Overall morale is very low right now as I have trouble even typing this entry right now. Ugh!

Happy New Year! Week 5- Weigh-In Results

As you can see, another 2.5 pounds lost for a total of 15 pounds lost since the start of The 180 Project. Proof that the holiday season can be met with weight loss instead of weight gain.

As we go into the new year, many will make resolutions to lose weight. If The 180 Project has inspired you, make it known, either on this site, the fan page, or start your own blog. If you made a resolution this New Years, get the word out to your friends and loved ones. Accountability can be a powerful motivator. Don't just privately say to yourself that you're going to lose weight, but assemble all your loved ones to enlist in their help. There is no shame in admitting that your overweight and want to change. They will watch your every bite and nag or encourage based upon what your needs are. If you're the type that doesn't care what others think, then care for yourself enough to show a little humility and let people help you.

This country is freakin fat! (myself included) We all need to find a diet, a goal, and stick to it. The point of The 180 Project is not to copy what I am doing, but finding a method that works for you. I am motivated by others, establishing a tangible task (a half marathon), and the prospect that what I am doing may help others (pledges to the Kampala Children's Centre). Your method may be different, the point is...finding one, sticking to it, and letting others know.

Happy New Year and I look forward to your comments! :)