This past week was a dichotomy of challenges: one of them physical, and one in my head.  Again, it was another six-day “work week” and work I did. 

I lifted three days this week, and quite frankly, I’m having a great deal of fun with it.  I’ve continued to try and add weight where I can, and I’m feeling more and more comfortable with most of the exercises, but I’m still struggling with pushups, which in my opinion, I’m going to still call “weight lifting.”

On Thursday, I pulled out my folder that has the lists of lifting that I use while at NOMS.  Generally, I warm up on the treadmill for a few minutes and jump into the weights.  I got through one of the lists (with about 15 different stations) and was feeling pretty good.  I decided that I would do something I had not done before...I flipped over to the second sheet and went through the other set of 15 weight stations.  I made it through, although there were a couple of spots where I struggled to get the requisite number of reps … but I did it.  Not sure if I was supposed to do it, but I did, and I wasn’t as sore on Friday as I thought I’d be.

I’ve also started using the bikes at NOMS with a bit more frequency, and I’ve really enjoyed my time on them.  I’ve been able to spend the bulk of the time on the bike in the upper one-third of the resistance, and have been able to push my distance from 7 to now more than 10 miles.

My other challenge is one that I am still working through.  As I’ve written in earlier blogs, I’ve made some pretty significant changes to my diet, and thought I was doing a pretty good job.  I guess I was, but I know I can do even better.  I got that confirmed on Wednesday, as I visited with the nutritionist.  First off, I am very grateful that she spent a great deal of time going over numerous dietary issues.  I certainly learned a great deal about how I can do more to help my weight loss, but the last few days have got me down a bit.  I guess I “freaked out” a bit.  I kept thinking about the number of carbs I was going to be able to have, and it got me thinking about the “super models” who have been in no-carb purgatory for years.    

It got me thinking to myself, “Dang it, you’ve been doing so much to change what and how you eat, isn’t that enough?”  Well, I’ve got to continue to convince myself that I CAN do more.  I’ve got to start writing down what I’m eating.  I’ve got to read the labels even more closely than I have been reading them.  It did help me become a bit despondent, and I have to admit, I did have a couple spoonfuls of peanut butter this week, and while it was wonderful, it wasn’t something that I cannot do without. 

This week, I’ll be sitting down with my wife, in an attempt to map out a plan of attack regarding items that need to become more permanent parts of my diet.

Again thank you so very much for the wonderful support that you have given me during my efforts towards becoming a healthier me.  It is truly appreciated.  Unfortunately, I feel as I let you, and myself down a bit, as I didn’t grab every aspect of this week with the “gusto” that I’ve had the previous month.  I can do better…..and I will.  One thing that I did do well though, is the “spread” for the Super Bowl.  My Super Bowl snack consisted of a big bowl of strawberries and fat free Cool Whip along with green tea.  Derek and Carla I hope that you have had a great and productive week.