All,

Today we start off together on a little adventure together. Not sure about you three but I am nervous This is my first time to try to mentor a group (even a small one of the three of you) though this process. I may get some things wrong, but I will get more right - together we will get though it. Like you guys I have failed before to loose weight, or more correctly I have failed to loose weight and then keep it off. Actually i lost 100's and 100's of lbs over the years, but always managed to put even more back on. I have leared much from my failure. This time I have been steadily loosing weight and keeping it off - that is the big noticible difference. Therefore if you I say to you in all honesty and with the compasion that I have for you three, if you are not ready to make the change, please sign-off now. If you are not ready and if you convince yourself of that then you will only re-inforce your bad habits.

If you are ready then read on... I just want you to ask yourself just one question today, 'What do you want to be when you grow up?' Seriously, what do you want to be and who do you want to be when you 'finish' this work? It is going to be hard, you will have to work, you should know what your intention is here! It's fine if you are starting out with 'I want to get in to a size 8' or I need to lower my cholesterol or BMI - fine for now (the better goals will come later) - but decide on something, and be honest. For me I had a vague notion that I could loose maybe 75lbs and get down to a size 40 inch trousers.... I was more honest with my self later on in the process and adjusted to a 38 pants and 150lbs... today I am 140lbs down and in 38 inches... with a new goal of 34-36 inch waist and 175 lbs weight loss.... but the other cool stuff all started to happen as I was on my journey... I met Debbie, had Aibidh... and all the Joy of both of them... then there was the inner peace that I can only promise you is there for you too... and the increased energy and focus.. nothing freaks me out now Life really is good!

So think carefully about what you want from this adventure, focus on achieving it... we can adjust as we go!

My goal is to loos the last 35lbs, and drop 2-4 inches from my waist... to find and remove one last niggle about my 'success'.... and find again a place in my meditation that was promiing me someting new. And most of all to continue to live in the 'NOW' with Debbie and Aibidh!

All that I want from you is... a mail with your food intake for the day... the exercise that you did.. and your goal/reason for doin gthe work.. feel free to share the diet and exercise feedback here (EVERY DAY!!!) but I do want you to put you goals here for mutual responsibility and accountability... (I did it too!)...

Hello Patrick. I am still here. I am still going.

Yes. Life has happened. This morning the reality of the slide has been measured. 14 lbs. Scale weight 272lbs. This leaves me at a net release of 25.5lbs since July 2008.

My goal is simple. To continue on my path to health one day at a time. I would like to see myself back to my December 31 2009 weight of 258 in 4 weeks. I have 100 lbs of body weight to release. My ultimate goal weight of 172lbs. My body is comfortable at 185lbs body weight. These are big numbers, however I have come to the realization they are only numbers.

One day at a time. One meal at a time. One workout at a time. I will get their.

Short term goals, the next 9 weeks. To release a total of 20 lbs of scale weight. To release 4 inches from my waist. To wear a size 40 Trousers (Pants). Yes, I have them in my bottom drawer, cause I just bought them in December.

One of my major declines has been the slide to ANGER. This is an old pattern that dates back to child hood. One that I have been dealing with since I was 9 years old. Long time for awareness of anger, 35 years, however it still takes a hold of me, when I let it.

When I become angry, I become disconnected, and find myself consumed. I look for "THINGS" to comfort me. I buy stuff, when that doesn't do it. I then revert to food. I have observed myself over the past few weeks. I watched myself. I sort of disconnect from what is going on, and observe. It is really freightening, and yet it has provided me some insight to my own patterns.

As I deal with the lower level habits, and allow them to consume me. My desire for Sugar increases, allowing myself the occassional beer or cider. ( I do not drink to escape, just because "I deserve it"). I get tired, and I do not want to workout. These patterns are very clear and prevalent at this time. Add to it, those in the inner circle stating, "You really need to be careful not to WEAR OUT YOUR JOINTS or INJURE YOURSELF" I think DAH, Being 270lbs, is already WEARING OUT MY JOINTS FASTER THAN IF I WAS 200lbs....

What I intend to achieve. Within 12 Months. Between now, March 23rd, 2010 and March 23rd, 2011. I intend to release 100lbs. I know I can do this. I know that it will take work, focus, and above all committment to continue on this path.

Patrick, thank you for reaching out. I know that I can find liberty from my inner demons that keep me from living healthy.

March 23, 2010:

6:30am: Rise and Shine. 20 oz Water
6:50 Lower Body Workout. Quads, Hamstrings, Calves, Crunches, Stretching
8:30 Breakfast: 1/2 C. egg Whites (60 Cal) 1 Slice German Rye Bread (120Cal) 1 Cup Coffee 2tbs Soy Milk 3 Fresh Strawberries

10:30 Right Light Vanilla Shake with 8 Oz Water
12:30 Cottage Cheese Lasagna (280Cal)
15:30 Right Light Vanilla 8 Oz Water
18:00 Turkey Brocolli Roll, Canteloupe 1/2 Cup
20:00 Right Light Vanilla Shake with 8 oz Water

well done Jeff! One quick thing, total up you calories... be aware of them for a few weeks.. portion size is crutial, but it all looks really great. Let talk again in a day or so...

Wednesday March 24,2010

7:00 Health Club, 20 oz Water, 20 Minutes Gentle Cardio. Warmup.
8:30 1/c Egg Whites, 2 Slice Rye Bread 1Tbsp Ketchup (60+240+20=320 Cals)
10:30 Right light Shake + Banana 230 Cals
12:30 Cottage Cheese Lasagna 280Cals 20 oz Water
3:00 Right Light Shake 180 Cals Missed
18:00 Chciken Pasta Stir Fry 320 cals
23:00 Right Light Sake 380 CAco Gogi Ball Cals
Total Calories: 1430 Still LOW Revised due to changes as day progressed.

Still feeling the aches and pains from Last weekends bout of FLu. Feeling better daily.

Reflect Actual

Great on calories... maybe a little low for you... but there is not much in terms of natural nutrition.... remember your 5-a-day :-) I understand that you are getting back in to it, so well done on the cardio... overall a good day and a step forward! meals, light and regular... think about my question above... what do you want to be when this is over.... healthier is good... but what about happy?

Jane, Jeff and Amanda.. the most obvious thing that I notice from he above and the e-mails that come directly to me is that we all treat this 'programme' as a punishment of some sort. We because I used to also. what I mean is that the food that we are eating is mostly plan and 'processed' in a way.... so Right-lights are great as a 2 meal replacement, they were not intended to be the basis of a long term diet. The simple truth is that we are in this for the longer term (more than one challenge). That does not have to be so bad food wise! There is lots that we can do to make out food healthier, more nurishing and fresher.. and actually make us feel fuller! Personally I add mushroom and onions (small portion) or peppers to most cooked meals, I'll fill up a sandwich with lettice or spinach leaves..., Carrot sticks are a very handy 'get out of jail card' as are Celery sticks (though I personally don't like them... Spices and herns have very little calories, but can add life to a meal... you don't have to eat bland food! Personally I got to hate bland omellets (white), cottage cheese, grilled chicken (I'm allergic to fish unfortunately)... but add some peppers, onions, herbs, mushrooms, citrus fruit (enough to taste) and you can transform bland to very tasty with little calorie impact... and dramatically improve the nutritional benifits!....
Your call, but all that you need to do is to prepare and give it a little more time... and pack thoughtfully for the day... Lets us all try to talk later in the week!

Great input Patrick I will set aside some prep time this weekend

7:00 20 oz water
7:10 upper body workout chest db, shoulder press, back rowing, tricep Ext, bicep curls
8:30 .75 c egg whites 80 cal 1 cup spinach 2 slice rye 240 cal 1 cup chai 1 tsp jam 20 cal. 340 cal 20 oz water
10:30 right lift shake 130 cal banana 100 cal 230 ice water
12:30 cottage cheese lasgana 280 cal
15:30 right light water banana 230 cal
18:00 chicken 200 cal large apple cinamon 320
20:00 right light soy milk ice 260
1640 cal

2 banana's and cup of spinach :-) moving in the right direction... you should feel better and less 'drained' with fresh produce and fruit mixed in your diet... you are doing well... keep on truckin'

Hi Patrick,
Thanks for reaching out and creating this group for us. I for one need it, I've been struggling with food and exercise as of late. I find that i just want to constantly munch which leads me to make terrible food choices. It is interesting that i know when i eat like that I just don't feel good, and yet I do it. I suppose it is what I know. I also, know that I'm all or nothing kind of person. Either I'm eating healthy and exercising or I'm doing neither. sigh

Anyway, to your question Who do I want to be, what do I want to be when I grow up?
Interesting question. Physically I want to be fit and look good. Since, I've been on diets all my life it is a goal I have always wanted . I just don't seem to be able to get there! Certainly, is not for the lack of trying though. I'm 5'4" so ultimately that would mean 130-150 lbs. I'm not sure what I weight now (I got rid of my scales) but I'll go to the gym tomorrow morning and hop on their scales to see where I am. I know I have reverted to old habits and have gained back weight. Which is soooo depressing!!! I think it would be better for me to work towards smaller goals like you did, but it seems I always go for the huge goal, which can be intimadating and depressing to see the numbers.

I would like to be happy, want to hop out of bed in the morning excited about what that day may bring instead of huddling under the covers not wanting to get out of bed. I would like to find someone to share my life with, and although I like my job, I don't think it was what I'm intended to do.

Ultimately, I want to be fit, happy, confident, comfortable in my skin, outgoing, attractive, to be active and to just have fun, to enjoy my life

thanks again Patrick, and my love to all!

Happy Friday:
What a busy and somewhat productive day. Finding out all over again that busy does not mean productive nor making progress.

Well I am making progress. =) Not just busy. =)

6:30 water 20 oz
6:45 20 Minutes Cardio. HR >130 for 15/20 minutes.
8:00 1/2 C Cottage Cheese, 1/2 Yogurt 4 Strawberries. 1 Cup Tea
11:00 Right Light, 1 Banana, 20 oz Water
13:00 Cottage Cheese Lasagna 20 water, Diet Coke (Eeek !!) Large Coffee... Out to late last nite
16:00 Right Light, Banana, 20 Water
21:00 Spagetti Squash Raw Food, Yogurt
Cup of Chai tea.

I am not officially part of this group but I want to let you know that I am praying for all of you and thinking of you. All 4 of you are very special people to me and I love you all! Thank you for working with these wonderful people Patrick!

What a beautiful post Patrick, and congratulations on 140lbs. WOW!
Thank you for your post today, you inspire me so much with your insight and wisdom in this journey and you are going to help so many along the way with your leadership.

Hi guys, hope you are still keeping focused over the weekend.. Amanda, saw your mails - I know you are. From tomorrow I want all three of you, plus Mari (found us by powers unknown) to put up here every day what you eat and how you exercised... sort of a mutual accountability... I'll do it too! But remember that my training is not supposed to match yours - I have a very special goal for June 2010! it's way way outside of my comfort zone, so it will take special diet and exercise program to come close to achieving it!

Monday:

Physical Report: Had a minor spill on my Roller Blades playing ball hockey with the family this saturday. Some minor bruising. Overall I am ok, just slowing me down a bit. Thankful it was a minor spill. First time on Rollerblades in over four years.


8:15 Breakfast: 1 Egg + 125ml Egg Whites, 1 Slice Rye Toast, 1 Tpsp Ketchup 20oz Water
8:45 Cardio
10:30 Right Light + Banana Water
12:30 Cottage Cheese Lasagna Water
15:30 right light + Banana Water
18:30 Chicken, Grapefruit Water

Monday

Breakfast:I had 2 slices of multi grain bread with 3 eggs whites = french toast
Snack: carrot muffins (efl book)
lunch: Chili (efl book)
snack: cottage cheese/blueberries
dinner: egg white omelet with mushrooms and lite cheese

haven't been feeling well, between sinus's and allergies, am going to try to do get exercise later this evening

Monday
I. fried rice with shrimp
2.brocolli and chicken
3.Oatmeal with banana
4.protein shake
Workout: Lower body

Jane and Jeff, I am wishing you two the very best in your journey in Patricks Group. You two mean the world to me and i only want you to be happy and achieve the goals you have set forth.
Thanks for being in my life and I too am here for you if you need anything.
Good work guys I rooting for you!!!
Jane, see you soon and I expect to hear good things
Love you guys
Troy

All, well done.. we are on a roll...remember that each positive step gets us closer to our goals! At each meal, we get the chance to take a positive step, at each exercise we get to do it right or wrong, we also get to be active in between eating and our set exercise... they all add up! For example a hour of reasonable paced walking a day is about 500 claroies, in a week that is 1lb! in a year that is 52lbs lost!!! Can you do an hour extra a day? On a treadmill watching TV or reading, walking to the store..... whatever, if your life depended on it, could you do it? Your life does depend on it :-) Life for me is not about the quantity of time, but about the quality of that time!

Happy Tuesday:
7am Break Fast 1/2C Egg Whites, 1 Whole Egge, 1/4 C Avocado 1/2C Oatmeal 1 C Coffee 20 Oz Water
8:30am Cardio Running on Treadmill 20 Minutes HR > 130bpm
9:00 20 oz Water
11:00am Water 20 oz Vanilla Right Banana Shake
13:00 Cottage Cheese Lasagna 20 oz Water Diet Code
16:00 Vanilla Right Light Banana Water
20:30 Turkey Brocoli Roll Pink Grapefruit
Water, Coffee

Happy Trails my friends.