Day One!

I started out Day One by measuring my body fat, weight, and taking some measurements of my biceps, chest, and waist. After my weekend, my waist has swelled to a size 36, my bicep measures 14", my chest is 42" and my weight is 184 lbs. On my body fat analyzer, it measures 14% or roughly 26.5 lbs of fat on my 184-pound frame.

The metamorphosis has begun!! My official start to the program is February 21, 2005. In less than 84 days, I will be transformed into a champion! My goal is that I will decrease my body fat to 9%, and keep my weight at 185 lbs. That would mean losing approximately 9 lbs of fat and gaining 10 lbs of muscle. I estimate that I will be looking to decrease my waist to 33 inches and increase my chest to 44 inches. I plan on increasing my bicep an additional 2 inches by my final day, May 15th!

I completed a rigorous upper body work out and have eaten six high-quality meals of protein, complex carbs, and essential fats. Great first day!

The epicurean delights of "The Last Supper"

This past weekend came and went, and I did some damage: 1 delicious Boar's Head grilled hotdog, 2 scrumptious chargrilled burgers, 9 slices of the most delicious pizza ever, an entire big bag of Cool Ranch Doritos, one 7-11 turkey sandwich with Southwestern mayo, 20 peices of homemade sushi, chips and salsa, chocolate fondue, 10 heaping mouthfulls of Reece's Peices, parmesan cheese, and about 25 beers over a beautiful Daytona 500 weekend.

I thought I'd go out with a bang... I guess it was a special occasion of some sorts. Call it my last hoorah of decadence. My binge on the fringe. Or in the fridge, for that matter. I know that it won't be the last time that I'll be able to indulge--heck, I get one free day to eat what I want per week. I doubt that I'll even eat half of that stuff in seven days. I guess it was just "for old times sake" to stuff myself. Perhaps it was to remind myself of how awful I can feel after stuffing my gluttonous gut with crap that makes me breathe heavy when I button my jeans. Did I mention it was delicious?

Getting ready...

This past week has been spent getting myself mentally prepared for the challenge at hand. I'm reviewing my goals and starting to visualize myself living and breathing in my new body and mind. I'm also practicing some of the BFL habits which will ultimately help me transform.

Overall this week has been a successful one in making strides to start the program. I have ate relatively well from a health standpoint. I have significantly decreased my intake of calories, and have maintained eating about every three hours using portions approximately the size of my hand. I have had a few boughts with a 7-11 turkey sandwich with southwestern mayo. It's absolutely delicious the way the crisp romaine lettuce and cheese blend together in a symphony of flavors.

There have been a few more socializing situations which, if I was officially on the program, would put me over my allotment of two nights per week... and it's not even the weekend yet. I did, however, manage to uphold my willpower after a Tuesday night softball game where our cheering section brought along a little extra "cheer" for us, too. After work on Wednesday, however, there was a late night capped-off at a famed 24-hr greasy spoon called "Whataburger" which tested my resolve, however I retaliated my hunger by ordering extra pickles and jalapenos on my grilled chicken sandwich, and "86" the southwestern mayo.

Thursday night was a similar story... the young professional group to which I belong hosted a social at a new, swanky restaurant. I stuck with the Miller Lite because of the minimal calories and low carbs. I think I had three before we left for our softball game. Because it was the last game before the playoffs, and because I knew we'd be going out afterwards, we decided to let the Miller Lites flow. After the game, I went back for more revelry at the social, as it moved from the swanky restaurant to a beachfront raggae bar. I did, however, resist the urges to feed on chicken wings and other delicious creations that were at my disposal. I opted for Baked Doritos and a turkey sandwich (with the southwestern mayo).

For my workouts, I was able to manage an upper body workout on Tuesday before softball, and I am counting softball as a cardio workout, too. I play in the outfield, where there is a lot more running. I try to sprint over to behind second base whenever someone on first tries to steal, just in case the catcher makes an errant throw. Tuesday was an especially challenging day, physically, because I only had three hours of sleep from the previous night. As I start my Challenge, I know that I need to get a minimum of six to seven hours of rest in order to repair my muscles.

As I move towards the weekend, I hope to get ready for my BFL start on Monday, February 21st. I will be taking my before photos, measurements, and planning my first "official" workout and meal plan. Because I travel and commute regularly, I must take extra care in planning meals, times I exercise, and having the right supplements at my fingertips.

Dream List

Okay... I haven't yet "officially" started, but there is a fair amount of preparation that goes with this. I must get mentally pyched-up, but I have started eating right. Well, kinda. You see, I am battling my social butterfly bug that likes to go out and have a few beers with the boys (and girls, too!). Beer is not one of those things that is an "authorized food" on the Body for Life plan. So, I either have to make the decision that I will go 100% hard core on this, and miss out on some fun times and socials, or save those occassions for my "Free Day" where I can have as much food as I want.

You see, Body for Life is a committment, and one that I don't take lightly. It builds character. It builds your body. It builds your mind, and really, everything else you touch. It is as much a diet and exercise plan as it is a state of mind. You get out of it what you put into it. If I start this and only give it 85%, I'll only get 85% of the results. Real BFL'ers would say that I'm not actually accepting the Challenge and going for it all. Well, I've already done BFL once before. Although finishing it was great, I have to remind myself of what my Dream List was one year ago.

A year ago, one of my items on my Dream List was to have a great social life. I was so upset with going out and not feeling comfortable in any of my clothes, or not looking as good or feeling as good as I wanted. I now have that social life I wanted, and by getting my body in great shape, I may have to sacrifice some of the things I really enjoy. At any rate, I am going to try to limit my "going out" to two nights per week. I don't think I would necessarily want to live a life that didn't include some revelry and good cheer. Call it, Body for Life--modified. I DID however resist the urge for an entire bag of Doritos that I ALMOST pulled over to buy after four Miller Lite's with the boys.

My Dream List:
Lose the belly fat and maybe see my abs again
Look fantastic for Summer/going to the beach
Build muscle
Lose fat
Gain size and strength
Feel like I can accomplish ANYTHING!
Increase sports performance (I like to play flag football, softball, volleyball, dodgeball, or basketball on a recreational league throughout the year).


So far, I have been eating well... starting Wednesday Feb 9th. I eat about every 3 hrs, plus I began taking a multivitamin. When I officially start with the workouts, I will supplement with creatine and probably take an occasional protein powder for convenience and satisfy my sweet tooth. I look forward to them, especially as a last meal before bed.

Before picture... February 15, 2004.

After... May 10, 2004. Feeling a lot better!

Crossing the Abyss

Okay... here goes. I am creating this to chronicle the before and after of one of the greatest endeavors I've ever embarked upon--Body for Life. Each day I'll record my thoughts, discuss my challenges, describe my workouts, and maybe even inspire you to do the same! Each month, I'll update before and after photos, so you can visually see my transformation right before your eyes.

Prior to this, it was almost exactly one year ago when I first started my complete 12-week transformation. It was Feb 15th, 2004 when I realized that I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. Fed up, I put down the double cheeseburgers and picked up some dumbbells. Through the 12-week process, I overcame obstacles that I didn't know existed prior to my journey. On May 10th I stood before the mirror, a champion. My head held high, I breezed through life's challenges and attained goals I once thought were insurmountable.

During the course of the my last Body for Life Challenge, I overcame a stressful and foreign environment in blustery Wisconsin, working at a job that I didn't particulary enjoy. I was away from my love (at the time), who lived back home in Florida. Upon learning of an opportunity to move back, I quickly arranged for an interview and flew back, only to be dumped two weeks into my Body for Life Challenge by my longtime love (and Body for Life Challenge partner). Bewildered but not broken, I let that fuel my desire for completing the challenge. Upon landing the job, I moved cross-country to my beloved Florida. There were times I thought I would never finish, and times were I was tempted to throw in the towel, but I pushed through it and built character during the process.

Months later, Florida was ravished by hurricane after hurricane. My faithful gym was destroyed, and so was my daily routine of eating right and exercising. I have now gained back 15lbs of the 32lbs I once shedded. More importantly, however, I no longer feel the empowerment I once did as I stood there that May morning. Granted, one year later I am no longer 202lbs and over 20% body fat, I still feel like my best days are behind me. That is, however, if I choose to continue the slide. Hence, that is why I am creating this blog.

I needed an imputus to change. Experts might say that I need an emotional reason to experience real change. Something that will make me stick to my new lifestyle or the first temptation to go back to my "old ways" will rear it head. For me, there should be many reasons to push forward and re-dedicate myself to Body for Life. I have goals! I have a dream list!