Day 50 - Bowling

Well Patty & I went to Sedona on Friday to spend time with her parents at the Sedona Pines Resort (timeshare) and on Saturday, we went to Cliff Castle Casino. This was a nice place, if you like casino's but they also have a bowling alley there. I wasn't really in the mood to play slots but did play a few hands of black jack. We ate lunch at the Johnny Rocket's restaurant in the casino and I suggested to Patty's parents that we go bowling afterwards (in the hopes to not spend the entire time playing slots or whatever came up). Patty's mom was wanting to play the penny slots but Patty's dad was getting kind of bored being there so he agreed to go bowling with Patty & me.

That was one of the most fun things we did up there just spending time with Patty's father. We all bowled 2 games a piece but more importantly, we spent more quality time together instead of mindless time losing money. We played for about 2 hours and I have to tell you, that was the best $20 I spent.

We finished up and went back to the resort where they have a miniture golf course so the 3 of us (Patty's dad, Patty & me) played a round of golf. After the golf, we decided that it was jacuzzi time so we went to the jacuzzi and relaxed there for a half an hour. All in all, this was a very relaxing weekend but I am sure glad to be home.

Our next training with Keith is Tuesday night. Looking forward to getting whipped again!

Jerry

Day 48 - High Intensity

"Oh my gosh, I am totally spent". Those were the words I spoke to Keith tonight after a grueling workout. I started out with a bad attitude from a long day and that was bringing me down quite a bit tonight. Patty & I started out with our usual 10 min. of cardio warm up and then it was upstairs to the torture chamber (aka The Ball). It's actually not that bad but tonight I was pretty wiped out!

We started out with stretching exercizes and balancing of the core. We then did 3 sets of ab crunches and isolinear ab moves. After the abs, we worked on more abs with free weights. Keith decided that my exertion level could use a pick me up so he gave me some 7 1/2 lb. weight on a few moves. He decided that was too easy for the chest press so he moved me up to 15 lb. weights for each arm. I'm happy to say that I endured but what pain I am experiencing right now. I can barely type as my hands and arms are worn out.

We finished up with 2 sets of ball squats but this time, we had to hold the weights to build more resistance. That was tough. I thought I was finished and then Keith said, "we have time, let's do another set" so back to the ball we went for more ab exercizes with the weights. I was sweating profusely and at one point, didn't think I was going to make it through but we will always try to give it our best effort.

Their computer system is still down so we don't have our menu plans yet. They have promised us 2 extra workout sessions to compensate for their techincal problems.

Tomorrow, Patty & I are heading up to Sedona for some R&R with her parents. They have a time share at the Sedona Pines Resort and have invited us to visit for the weekend. We are both looking forward to a quick retreat from Phoenix.

Peace & Blessings,

Jerry
10/27/05 - 273 lbs.
5 lbs. lost
5 inches on waist lost
103 lbs. to weight goal

Day 47

Tonight, Patty & I went to the gym and did our Workout Routine #2 which focuses on the upper body, arms and legs. We started out with a light 10 min. cardio warm up and then the presses, lateral flexor pulls, front & rear deltoid fly, curls, leg presses, donkey calf lifts and some light ab routine with an exercize ball passing from side to side.

We ended the routine with a 10 min. cardio warm down and called it a night. A light workout because we meet tomorrow with Keith for our final training session for October. Next Monday is our church harvest festival so our following appointment is Tuesday evening. Oh, and the Chicago White Sox won their first world series in 88 years! Go Sox! I'm not a White Sox fan but I did stay at a Holiday Inn once :-)

Take care,

10/26/05 - 273 lbs.
5 lbs. lost
5 inches on waist lost
103 lbs. to weight goal

Day 45 - Bring on the Abs

Tonight was a big time ab workout! We started off with our stretching after 10 min. of cardio for warmup. We then started off with 3 sets of ab crunches on the ball as well as an isolinear ab routine. We also did some free weights but alternated from what we had been doing the past few times on the ball.

Keith had us doing some balance exercizes and I promptly fell on my knees tonight as my balance still has a lot of work to be done. We did 3 sets of ball squats and also laid out on a map for more ab routines to keep the moves different. I had noticed that I had some weird bulge in my middle ab section which kind of scared me. It kind of looked like the beginning of an extraterrestrial from the movie "Alien" which jumped out of John Hurt's stomach. This didn't pop out, obviously, but it caused me some concern.

I have a meeting with Troy Albright, who is a pharmacist from my church on Nov 2nd to go over the saliva test I did a week ago. This is supposed to be a bit better and more accurate than a blood test on determining the ailments and chemical properties of a person. I hope to find out why I am always having circulation problems with my feet and my legs. The doctor stated that I have varicose veins but at 41, I want to know what is wrong with me and what I can do to fix this.

We work out again on Wednesday night for a machine set 1 workout. I am really having fun working out with Patty. She has been very motivating and helping me to stay on track.

Till Next Time,

10/24/05 - 273 lbs.
5 lbs. lost
5 inches on waist lost
103 lbs. to weight goal

Shrek & The Donkey - 360 lbs

I'm the Ogre not the Donkey!

Here is a photo that Patty took in October, 2002 in Spain. This was me at 360 lbs. Now that I am at 273 lbs., that is 87 lbs. ago. It's hard to believe that was my weight but I remember being on the plane and having to ask for a seat belt extender as the seat belt couldn't fit around me!

That donkey was saying, "Hey, don't you think of getting on me Señor Gordo"

Day 41 - 5 lbs. & 5 inches!!

We measured tonight. I am so excited. I now have confirmation that I have dropped to 273 lbs. and down 5 full inches across my waist. I had noticed that my pants were starting to feel a bit looser - even the new size 46 waist pants. This is extremely gratifying as I hadn't lost the lbs. during my checks on my weight but tonight, 5 lbs! What a great motivator that was!

We did all our measurements and next weigh in and measurement count, we'll list our progress. This whole process took about 1/2 hour and then we went for another workout on the ball. I am getting quite good at that thing. Did 2 sets of 25 reps on ab crunches and we did 2 sets of isolinear ab exercizes. We did ball squats and our favorite routines with the 5 lb. weights.

Finished up tonight with 20 min. of cardio and called it a night. Man, I am really pumped up!!

10/20/05 - 273 lbs.
5 lbs. lost
5 inches on waist lost
103 lbs. to weight goal

Day 40

We went to the gym tonight around 6:30 and did the machine workout (workout #1) which focused on upper body exercizes. Patty was still a little sore from Monday and was having trouble breathing so she took it a little easier. I went the distance with the machines and then did some ball squats and balancing on the little red gel disc. That is really hard with the Z-Coils so I may try to find some other athletic shoes for the gym to give me a little better balance.

Keith is really working us on balancing of the core part of our body. This is another area where I know that I need a lot of work but I know that I will get there. Tomorrow night, we will get our measurements and compare that to when we started to see if we've made any progress. I am hoping that I made a little headways into my goal.

Till next time,

10/19/05 - 273 1/2 lbs.
4 1/2 lbs. lost
105 1/2 lbs. to weight goal

Day 38 - Ball 4

Today, Keith continued our regimen at 2 sets of stretches and free weights on the ball. We started out with 10 min. of cardio and then upstairs to get to work on the ball. Good stretching out prior to starting and then lifting, curls, triceps and presses. We did 2 reps of ab crunches and also some front weight lifts. We also are working on balancing our core by balancing on one foot trying to get centered. The workout ended with 12 min. of more cardio.

Keith does not want us to go too far as to not risk a sports injury. Patty had some trouble breathing tonight but I was (again) totally drenched. We were going to sit down with Cameron tonight to go over meal plans however their computer program is acting up. Next session, we will have new measurements to see if we have progressed any. I'm kind of holding my breath as I have not lost any weight but I think I've lost some inches (maybe??).

We missed our workout Saturday as I had some problems with the hard drive on my Macintosh computer and Patty had a bridal shower for our good friend, Heather, who is getting married in a couple of weeks. I could really tell that I missed too long as we were really tight tonight and it was 4 days from our previous workout. We won't make it a habit to miss workouts as we know what it will cost us in the long run. Well, that's about it for Monday night.

10/17/05 - 273 1/2 lbs.
4 1/2 lbs. lost
105 1/2 lbs. to weight goal

Day 34 - Ball 3

Tonight was a great workout! We actually had time for 2 reps of all the exercizes we have been working on with Keith. We started out with 10 minutes of cardio prior to getting started. We then went upstairs to our workout area and got the 55 cm balls to work with. Keith had us starting out with stretching exercizes to get loosen up. He had us in a great sweat in no time. The amazing thing is that the ball really incorporates a lot of Yoga type of muscle use. The reason to use theball versus just using weight machines is that you really are using more muscles and your motion is more fluid. With a machine, you are working a prescribed set of muscles and it can force other muscles you need to not get worked. If you have a dominant muscle, it could have a negative effect for the muscles that need to be used. With the ball, you are using more muscles and even though it's not using as much weight, you are getting a better/total workout. Let me tell you, you really sweat it up. I have noticed that on our last workout without Keith (our upper body/level 1 machine routine), I didn't sweat as much but tonight I was beat afterwards. It's a good kind of feeling knowing that you are giving it your all.

I weighed in tonight however I didn't see any weight loss movement. I feel like I've lost a bit on the stomach and legs. Keith will do measurements next Thursday night prior to our sixth session with him. Weight and measurements after each 5 sessions is what they do. Even though I don't see a measurable weight loss, I could be at a plateau from when I started losing weight. I am not discouraged. The weight will come off soon enough but the body reshaping is feeling fantastic!

Patty and I will be working out again on Saturday.

Peace and blessings!

10/13/05 - 273 1/2 lbs.
4 1/2 lbs. lost
105 1/2 lbs. to weight goal

Day 32 - Ball II

Our meeting with Keith was a great one tonight. We went over our Apex training preparation which spelled out our goals and we were to list our personal traits and shortcomings. After we spent about 20 minutes going over things, it was off to the ball for another session of low impact stretching and two 5 lb. weights for resistance training. We did many different yoga-type of stretches and some basic exercizes on the ball. Keith mentioned that my breathing and posture was improving greatly over the first ball session. Patty, of course, was right on as she has a lot of experience with the ball. I ended up my workout with 25 minutes of cardio on the treadmill and called it a night. I felt the workout was a bit less streneous than Ball 1 but I enjoyed it very much!

Jerry

10/11/05 - 273 1/2 lbs.
4 1/2 lbs. lost
105 1/2 lbs. to weight goal

Day 30

I can't believe it has been 1 month already. The time sure has flown by. I haven't seen drastic results in weight loss however I have seen results in my shape which I think is just as important. Patty and others have said to not over stress on the weight loss issue but look at the overall reshaping and redesign of the body. I'm a guy so I see a tangible number, like pounds, and in my mind I believe that that's the goal. The overall goal is to get healthy and stay healthy.

We were still pretty sore from Friday but we went to the gym and did our series 1 - upper body exercizes. It was a bit of a struggle tonight but we made it through without too much difficulty. We ended up with 25 minutes of cardio and then hit the jacuzzi which we both desperately needed and looked forward to.

Our next appointment with Keith is Tuesday at 4:00-5:00 pm. He stated that we will be working with the ball for the next few sessions so I am looking forward to that!

Blessings,


Jerry van West
10/09/05 - 273 1/2 lbs.
4 1/2 lbs. lost
105 1/2 lbs. to weight goal

Day 28 - The Ball

Keith had us working with the ball tonight. Oh was I surprised! I thought "it's just a ball - how hard could that be?" and boy did I get a workout! We started out with 10 min. of cardio on the treadmill and I have to tell you, I was really pumped up today. Keith then told us that we would be doing some work on the exercize ball and that didn't impress me too much. I guess my infamiliarity with this item is not too uncommon for newbies but I kept an open mind.

We started with some basic stretches and simple movements but then we started working the abs and other areas with the ball. We did some routines with two 5 lb. weights and really worked the biceps, triceps and many of the muscle groups in the legs and back. By the time we were finished, my shirt was soaked with sweat. Man, that felt really good. We ended up with a simple 5 min. cooldown on the treadmill. Keith said that we would be really sore in the morning so do not over do the end cardio.

It was an exciting workout and I am still pumped up that Patty & I are doing this together. Thank you all for your comments to us. We really appreciate your support and feedback. Sunday, we plan another level one session of weight machines and cardio. Our next training with Keith is Tuesday.

Bless you all!

Jerry van West
10/07/05 - 273 1/2 lbs.
4 1/2 lbs. lost
105 1/2 lbs. to weight goal

Day 26 - Keith

Today, we met our permanent trainer Keith. He has a number of years experience behind him and we really hit it off right away. We started going over the paperwork and putting our goals down on paper with him. He kind of reminds me of Jake Busey from Starship Troopers. Patty said that his sense of humor was similar to mine and now she has to put up with two of us :-)

Much of the training today had to do with proper posture, breathing and tight abs while exercizing. We did our initial set of machines - focusing on upper body with chest press, tricep lifts - basically our session 1 workout. We ended with cardio on the treadmill for 25 min. plus cooldown.

The cool thing is that they took our initial photos to get a baseline and I was psyched! I couldn't believe how far I've already come. I am going to try and get the picture and scan it in (or maybe I'll have Patty take our digital camera and make a quick photo in the house) and post it here. If you saw me 2 years ago and look at me now, it's quite a difference.

We decided to get dinner after working out at Appleby's and Patty & I split a meal. Quite a better food choice than ordering too much and overeating.

I'm still loving it!

Jerry van West
10/05/05 - 273 1/2 lbs.
4 1/2 lbs. lost
105 1/2 lbs. to weight goal

Day 23

We missed yesterday's workout so we rescheduled for Sunday. It was good as I was not really wanting to go but Patty helps me out by pushing me out of my comfort zone so we made it tonight. We had a number of problems with what was discussed on Thursday and couldn't remember how to do a few of the exercizes nor which ones are which. Some of the machines are labeled and obvious but we ran into a few items which were not clear and so we reverted to our first session workouts to at least get something in. Started with 10 min. of cardio on the treadmill and then the machines. We did what we could remember which was good - good thing we hired a trainer so that we can learn each machine and what it does. We think our trainer is going to be Keith but not 100% sure. We left a couple of messages and hope for a call back on Monday to schedule a Tuesday night. We ended our routine with the ball passing from side to side (for the abs) and then back on the treadmill for our ending cardio workout. I decided to be a bit of a maniac and increased my speed from 2.7 to 3.1 and boy did I sweat. That's all for now.

Jerry van West
10/02/05 - 273 1/2 lbs.
4 1/2 lbs. lost
105 1/2 lbs. to weight goal