August 2, 2016 Week 011 – Day 075

August 2, 2016

Week 011 – Day 075

My gout seems to be cleared. I am walking like there is no tomorrow and generally feel great. My knees and back are issues still, as are my feet, but I am moving! I am not as tired as I was now that I am eating. I also found I am not craving food as I did before this program. I am VERY conscious of all that I eat, albeit trying to work out the “what” I can have that I enjoy. I am sticking to low calorie foods, keeping my diet under 1500. I am experimenting with that this week to see if keeping my body fed, and watered, if I actually lose weight faster. Hopefully I do not gain weight from this change up.

Today’s FitBit Stats:

25,007 Steps for 11.64 Miles and 4790 Calories burned. 12 Floors Climbed.

Last Night’s Sleep Recorded This Morning:

7 hour 44 min. Asleep last night, Awake X 1, Restless X 12

Food Schedule:

10AM – Flatbread Eggwhite & Turkey Sausage Sandwich & 12 oz glass of water with Orange Fiber (150 Calories)
12PM – (7oz) Bowl Romaine & Iceberg Lettuce with 2 Tbsp Fat Free Ranch (56 Calories)
2PM – (7oz) Bowl Romaine & Iceberg Lettuce with 2 Tbsp Fat Free Ranch (56 Calories)
4PM – Stoffers Baked Chicken Breast with Mashed Potatoes & 12 oz glass of water with Orange Fiber (210 Calories)
5PM – Stoffers Baked Chicken Breast with Mashed Potatoes & 12 oz glass of water with Orange Fiber (210 Calories)
6PM – TWO 4oz Turkey Burgers with Bread, Cheese & 0 Calorie BBQ Sauce (270 each = 540 Calories)
7PM –
8PM – Ice Cream Drum Stick (260 Calories)

Calorie Intake for the day = 1482

August 1, 2016 Week 011 – Day 074

August 1, 2016

Week 011 – Day 074

I increased my walking distance again…. challenging what was challenging to me just a week ago…. and still is. I am going through 48oz of water as I do so… carrying that water with me as I go (which adds a bit of weight). I am still feeling great pain as I push, and now I know that with the great effort and pain… comes great strength, endurance and freedom. I am alive… and I am free. I have been noticing that as I enter back into the food realm that I no longer crave food, and I am extremely conscious of what I am eating… with emphasis on how much I eat. My wife commented a few days ago that keeping my meals small helps keep my stomach at work, and small. No more packing food into every crevice, stretching it out. I am much more happy in this life, knowing I have regained control of myself. I am no longer the slave I was just a few months ago. I have been blessed with all of this…. and I know in keeping myself healthy, I will have much work to do in His Kingdom here on Earth while I now have years left in my life to do so. It is well. It is GREAT! I stand amazed!
I see Doctor Kan today…. I will report on that tomorrow.

Today’s FitBit Stats:

28,013 Steps for 13.04 Miles and 5132 Calories burned. 7 Floors Climbed.

Last Night’s Sleep Recorded This Morning:

4 hour 58 min. Asleep last night, Awake X 1, Restless X 5

Food Schedule:

10AM – Flatbread Eggwhite & Turkey Sausage Sandwich & 12 oz glass of water with Orange Fiber (150 Calories)
12PM – (7oz) Bowl Romaine & Iceberg Lettuce with 2 Tbsp Fat Free Ranch (56 Calories)
2PM – Flatbread Eggwhite & Turkey Sausage Sandwich (150 Calories)
5:30PM – TWO 4oz Turkey Burgers with Bread, Cheese & 0 Calorie BBQ Sauce (270 each = 540 Calories)
7PM – Ice Cream Drum Stick (260 Calories)
8PM – Flatbread Eggwhite & Turkey Sausage Sandwich & 12 oz glass of water with Orange Fiber (150 Calories)

Calorie Intake for the day = 1306

July 31, 2016 Week 011 – Day 073 & FitBit Report

July 31, 2016

Week 011 – Day 073

I have noticed that I am VERY concious of everything I eat now. I must admit I am fighting myself to not double up on the foods I eat… as I still am hungry from my morning walks. I will be seeing my Dr. tomorrow for a general check on my progress now that I am outside of the program, yet still included. This is an amazing journey… and I am grateful… very grateful.

Today’s FitBit Stats:

24,088 Steps for 11.21 Miles and 4801 Calories burned. 4 Floors Climbed.

Last Night’s Sleep Recorded This Morning:

7 hour 41 min. Asleep last night, Awake X 2, Restless X 8

Food Schedule:

10AM – Flatbread Eggwhite & Turkey Sausage Sandwich & 12 oz glass of water with Orange Fiber (150 Calories)
12PM – (7oz) Bowl Caesar Salad with Dressing (240 Calories)
2PM – At Church
4PM – (7oz) Bowl Romaine & Iceberg Lettuce with 2 Tbsp Fat Free Ranch & 12 oz glass of water with Orange Fiber (56 Calories)
6PM – Stoffers Baked Chicken Breast with Mashed Potatoes & 12 oz glass of water with Orange Fiber (210 Calories)
7PM – Stoffers Baked Chicken Breast with Mashed Potatoes (210 Calories)
8PM – Ice Cream Drum Stick (260 Calories)

Calorie Intake for the day = 1126

FitBit Report

July 30, 2016 Week 011 – Day 072

July 30, 2016

Week 011 – Day 072

In just a few days from switching to food I have noticed a huge difference in my energy level! And my Gout issue seems to be going away! I am bringing 48 oz of water for me to drink on my walks every morning now. I am feeling pretty good and ready to take on these daily challenges of getting myself back in the living.

Today’s FitBit Stats:

21,876 Steps for 10.18 Miles and 4597 Calories burned. 4 Floors Climbed.

Last Night’s Sleep Recorded This Morning:

7 hour 22 min. Asleep last night, Awake X 1, Restless X 9

Food Schedule:

10AM – Flatbread Eggwhite & Turkey Sausage Sandwich & 12 oz glass of water with Orange Fiber (150 Calories)
12PM – Shake & 12 oz glass of water with Orange Fiber (160 Calories)
2PM – (7oz) Bowl Romaine & Iceberg Lettuce with 2 Tbsp Fat Free Ranch (56 Calories)
5PM – Flatbread Eggwhite & Turkey Sausage Sandwich (150 Calories)
6PM – Stoffers Baked Chicken Brest & Mashed Potato’s & 8 oz glass of water with Orange Fiber (210 Calories)
7PM – Stoffers Baked Chicken Brest & Mashed Potato’s (210 Calories)
8PM –

Calorie Intake for the day = 936

July 29, 2016 Week 011 – Day 071 – Food is Back!!

July 29, 2016

Week 011 – Day 071

After speaking with the program coordinator (Rhonda), and the RN (Linda), they agreed I should no longer be on the products due to my Gout attacks. They also suggested I remain in the program for the weekly meetings…. and I agree. They have helped save my life and the meeting and wiegh-in’s as a group family are crucial to lasting success. I am blessed to have them all involved as they are.
So… Melanie and I went shopping with my health as the guide, and found many, many things I may eat that are low calorie, and fit within my new very healthy lifestyle I am now forging! It began with a salad for dinner last night that brought my calories up to 760 in total for yesterday. Low, right? I will be increasing my calories to around 1250 soon, then up to 1500 daily after week 16. I believe that our nutritionist (Norma) is correct and that my great amount of walking vs. my extremely low calorie intake has placed my body into starvation mode. At this point it is holding on to everything I eat as it’s back-up fuel source. I literally had no energy after my morning walks, and was in great pain from the Gout attacks each and every day. I will be pulling myself out of that now.
Yesterday I broke another walking record and hot over 25,000 steps… almost 12 miles with my stride!! I was hurting for sure, but did notice that drinking water while walking really made my walks easier. I had not been drinking water until I returned home from my walks… completely parched. It is amazing how hard we can push ourselves, through pain and challenge when we really want to.
That stated…. weight training is eminent! I will be calling upon my Brothers to begin that portion of this journey. I am actually excited to do so!

Today’s FitBit Stats:

20,811 Steps for 9.69 Miles and 4479 Calories burned. 2 Floors Climbed.

Last Night’s Sleep Recorded This Morning:

6 hour 16 min. Asleep last night, Awake X 0, Restless X 8

Food Schedule:

10AM – Flatbread Eggwhite & Turkey Sausage Sandwich & 12 oz glass of water with Orange Fiber (150 Calories)
12PM – Shake  & 12 oz glass of water with Orange Fiber (160 Calories)
2PM – (7oz) Bowl Romaine & Iceberg Lettuce with 2 Tbsp Fat Free Ranch (56 Calories)
4PM – Shake (160 Calories)
6PM – Banquet (213g) Bacon Mac & Cheese & 8 oz glass of water with Orange Fiber (250 Calories)
7PM – Ice Cream Drum Stick (260 Calories)
8PM – Flatbread Eggwhite & Turkey Sausage Sandwich (150 Calories)

Calorie Intake for the day = 1186

July 28, 2016 – Day 070 – WEIGH-IN DAY! & Walk Across America Report!

July 28, 2016

Week 010 – Day 70
WEIGH-IN DAY!

Many people have stopped Dan and I on the walk today… giving great compliment to what we have accomplished. I very much appreciate their encouragement. Today is my last meeting with teh group. My heart is saddened, yet I know I am doing what is right for my journey. This afternoon, we shall shop for foods I may eat, keeping my calories around 1000 at first, then increasing me to 1250. Eventually I will top out at 1500 daily, and continue my walks each morning. I may even begin to weight train again. I have been burning over 4,000 calories daily, and lately only taking in 800. Let us see how I progress. I will keep myself under control… and you will all see what I do right here.
The pain in my chest, under my rib cage seems to have gone away so far today. My back still plagues me.. as do my knees. My gout has not yet flared, and I expect it to after taking in my third meal of the day. I am prepared for the pain as usual. Weigh in will be this evening at the meeting. I can say without a doubt how different I feel now. And I can see a difference in my appearance finally. I could not truly see it before now. The comparison shot at the bottom of this page shows all. Amazing. So much left to do… for the rest of my life…. and I will enjoy every moment now.
I have never really been a morning guy. Now, as I forced myself to get up before dawn to walk… I find it amazing to witness the new day’s birth. I am now a morning guy!! The Father has created an amazing world for us.

Weight Lost This Week: 7.6 lbs

Total Weight Loss in this Program: 92.6 lbs

Today’s FitBit Stats:

25,111 Steps for 11.69 Miles and 4927 Calories burned. 5 Floors Climbed.

Last Night’s Sleep Recorded This Morning:

6 hour 54 min. Asleep last night, Awake X 0, Restless X 13

Food Schedule:

10AM – Shake & 12 oz glass of water with Orange Fiber (160 Calories)
12PM – Shake (160 Calories)
2PM – 1 Protein Bar & 8 oz glass of water with Orange Fiber (160 Calories)
8PM – Chef Salad (240 Calories)

Calorie Intake for the day = 760

Comparison Photo To Date:

Walk Across America!
We are the STARGAZERS!!

July 27, 2016 Week 010 – Day 069

July 27, 2016

Week 010 – Day 069

My pain has increased do badly in my chest and back area, that I can hardly breath in the evening. That, plus the gout attacks are making things much more challenging. I have continued to work hard in my morning walks, and I generally feel decent in the morning, aside from the back pain. I push, and I push…. because I know now that I never want to go back to what I had become. I want to live… and be with my family.. and serve where He will have me. We shall see how things progress today. I am feeling quite week in not getting the calories my body should have. Still…Forward we move!! I will never give up.

Today’s FitBit Stats:

20,254 Steps for 9.43 Miles and 4363 Calories burned. 3 Floors Climbed.

Last Night’s Sleep Recorded This Morning:

7 hour 57 min. Asleep last night, Awake X 1, Restless X 8

Food Schedule:

10AM – Shake & 12 oz glass of water with Orange Fiber
12PM – Shake
2PM – 1 Protein Bar & 8 oz glass of water with Orange Fiber
4PM – Shake
6PM 1 Protein Bar & 8 oz glass of water with Orange Fiber

Calorie Intake for the day = 800

July 26, 2016 Week 010 – Day 068

July 26, 2016

Week 010 – Day 068

Again I have had to cut out the last shake of the day due to gout. I must apologize for typing a bit of frustration regarding what happened in the program a few days ago. It is my own frustration… and not an issue of the Program, or anyone involved. My pain levels have been so high that I sometimes forget that the staff is doing everything that can for me… and have helped save my life!! They are doing that with everyone that makes that decision to do so. They are great…. and I very much appreciate them all.
I have received an answer from the Father, through the Holy Ghost. He lead me to the program and got me started…. He has carried me all this time. It is now my time to carry a bit more and make myself responsible for what I do. As I type this, I find myself a bit emotional, and full of the Spirit. I will be leaving the program… and continuing on my own, still with the Father’s help. It has become obvious to me this is what is to happen. I will be able to control my gout and get off these hard core medications I take to control it currently. It is simply the right thing to do at this time. I will miss my team mates… the staff… pretty much all of them. This group of people are quite incredible, and they can do anything they decide to do. I will miss them greatly, and I will never forget my time with them. One of them, Veronica, texted me with concern after reading my outburst in this Blog a few days ago. Veronica is fantastic, and has lead our group in “effort” since the program began. I have actually been trying to keep up with her, as she inspired me. That stated, her text comes as no surprise. She is likened to the person whom always wins the Biggest Loser. She cares about those around her, and pushes us all. There are many like her in this group…. they are ALL amazing! I shall miss everyone. Thursday will be my last meeting and weigh in at the Program.
I wish to thank everyone involved for a great journey in this program. Nutritionist, RN, Staff, Doctor’s….. everyone. You are doing great work.
“Shall we not go on in such great a cause?”

Today’s FitBit Stats:

20,424 Steps for 9.51 Miles and 4386 Calories burned. 3 Floors Climbed.

Last Night’s Sleep Recorded This Morning:

6 hour 51 min. Asleep last night, Awake X 4, Restless X 13

Food Schedule:

10AM – Shake & 12 oz glass of water with Orange Fiber
12PM – Shake
2PM – 1 Protein Bar & 8 oz glass of water with Orange Fiber
4PM – Shake
6PM 1 Protein Bar & 8 oz glass of water with Orange Fiber

Calorie Intake for the day = 800

July 25, 2016 Week 010 – Day 067 & FitBit Report

July 25, 2016

Week 010 – Day 067

You may have noticed that I did not take my last shake last night. My gout is bad and I have found that I wake feeling good after taking drugs to clear up my symptoms from the day before. It seems as I take the Fasting Shake and Bars, my gout flares more with each… thus I have cut out the final shake. I may be getting stones as well. My entire lower back hurst all the way around, and I have been having steady growing pain under my rib cage. This could be several things, however…. gas…. hernia…. stones… pulled muscle…. etc. We shall see, but it has been for days now… and is getting worse each day. I am praying about what to do, and shall continue to do so until I have the answer I ask of. I press on.
Of note: I get stopped on my morning walks by several people now who are recognizing my weight loss. They all had been seeing me each morning as I wave to them and say “good morning”, with a smile. Sometimes I compliment them on something that is theirs that morning. Now they do so to me….. which is an amazing feeling. This morning I had a rather famous Football Player stop me, as he sees me daily as well. It is interesting how just being recognized for your efforts may push you to work even harder. That is a great lesson for everyone. We can choose to have a good day, and share that with others. I stand amazed once again.

Today’s FitBit Stats:

20,013 Steps for 9.31 Miles and 4371 Calories burned. 2 Floors Climbed.

Last Night’s Sleep Recorded This Morning:

7 hour 4 min. Asleep last night, Awake X 2, Restless X 7

Food Schedule:

10AM – Shake & 12 oz glass of water with Orange Fiber
12PM – Shake
2PM – 1 Protein Bar & 8 oz glass of water with Orange Fiber
4PM – Shake
6PM 1 Protein Bar & 8 oz glass of water with Orange Fiber

Calorie Intake for the day = 800

FitBit Report

July 24, 2016 Week 010 – Day 066

July 24, 2016

Week 010 – Day 066

Sabbath Day.

Today’s FitBit Stats:

21,667 Steps for 10.08 Miles and 4614 Calories burned. 7 Floors Climbed.

Last Night’s Sleep Recorded This Morning:

6 hour 59 min. Asleep last night, Awake X 1, Restless X 11

Food Schedule:

10AM – Shake & 12 oz glass of water with Orange Fiber
12PM – Shake
2PM – 1 Protein Bar & 8 oz glass of water with Orange Fiber
4PM – Shake
6PM 1 Protein Bar & 8 oz glass of water with Orange Fiber

Calorie Intake for the day = 800