Wednesday Jan 24th,

Today is the first day of my journal as this is the day that the Dispatch came out with the article.  Going back we started the big 100 pound push on Dec 20th 2006.  I wanted to start then, because I didn’t want to gain even more weight over the holidays.  And I think in the end instead of gaining the typical 5 to 10lbs over Christmas I was even at the first of the year.  

 My start weight was 290.  Just about the heaviest I had been in my life.  My clothes were all tight and even 2 more pounds would have ment a big expense in new clothes.  

 I started watching what I ate much closer after the first, but did not actual follow a diet.  Further, my first workout session at FitQuest was not until Monday the 8th.  It was on the 8th that I really began the quest for Kinship. 

 My first day at FitQuest was quite hard.  I was very out of shape, I had not worked out at all since I came out of Mille Lacs Lake.   Joan the owner and my trainer worked hard with me to get me going.  She was, I think excited about the Fitness challenge, but I think a little concerned that I may not be the right guy to loose 100 lbs in just under a year.  She showed me how to workout to get the maximum effects.  She even helped me on eating better with a real thought as to what I was putting in my mouth. 

It is now been almost three weeks and I am starting to get it.  I am already feeling better, I am down over 11 pounds and can just about do all the items she wants me to do during the workout. 

As we go along on what is now 330 days left to remove about 89 pounds I will try to pass on the tips she gives along the way.  Joan has been terrific.  What I would have done for a workout routine is completely different than what she has me doing, and I am already seeing real results. 

She has been there every workout, but today was my first real day on my own, and just using the written workout set-up she drafted.  Although, I think she really wants to help, I need to do this without constant professional supervision, as that is what most of you will be faced with.

this leads me to my first piece of advice to you who are reading this, and who truly want success in your fitness program. 

Take the time and invest in yourself.  Hire a trainer such as Joan Peterson who will get you started on the path to success.  the help and training you get from the pro’s is well worth it.  So, depending on where you work out, find the fitness trainer, and get some help.  If you don’t currently have access to a trainer, come see Joan at FitQuest. You will not regret it.  If you are at the Y then you should talk with Nancy Donnay, she helped me when I was getting ready for the swim. 

For me the other big thing has been the full commitment and then setting aside the time to workout.  In the past I tried to workout when I had the time, but we all know we never or just rarely find the time.  Now, I set my workout time and then plan the rest of my day around the workout.  It is because of this change in priority that I have made it to the fitness club 16 of 17 days. I know that is a lot and I don’t think everyone should do that, but I have a big 100 goal and I am still just a short fat guy.   You need to figure out how often you need to work out to meet your goal and set up a schedule you will follow.  If you don’t make your fitness goal a priority who will?  You need to seriously commit.

Enough preaching. 

Workout: Wed Jan 24:  interval weight training, plus 20 minutes tread mill, and 10 min, stair stepper.  In and out in one hour. 

Food: Grapenuts BKFST, No mid morning snack.  Lunch with SErtoma at Bonanza: Salad, 2 chicken thighs, small portion of ribs and this NewOrleans meat dish.  No afternoon snack, Diner 2 slices Cub self rising cheese pizza.  Evening snack 3 deviled eggs.  Drank in excess of 12 glasses of water.

As you can see I am not yet on a strict food diet, just trying to watch what and decrease the amounts. 

till tomorrow

Gary Walters Fitness Journal!

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