Runner’s High?

I never thought it would happen to me. Actually, if I’m completely honest I have to admit I wasn’t even sure it was a real thing. But I’ve always heard my friends who are runners talk about runner’s high.

Today I actually experienced it. There I was, in the middle of the GHS YMCA, doing my walk/run on the treadmill and something began to happen.

My praise music was blaring, and I got a second wind and the most euphoric feeling came over me. I felt like I could conquer the world. Truthfully it was all I could do NOT to throw my hands up in the air and give a triumphant whoop.

Now I can hardly wait to go back tomorrow morning. Will it happen again? Was it just a fluke?

I’m betting it wasn’t. But I’ll let you know tomorrow.

“Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” Hebrews 12:1

Setting Myself Up for Success

I do a lot of traveling with my profession as an author, and this is my busiest season. I spent a lot of time praying about even applying to become one of Rob’s Big Losers because I knew I would be gone much of February and March. But I felt God’s clear call and so I left the decision as to whether or not I could do this in His hands.

Obviously He thinks I can.

But one thing I’ve learned in these three short weeks is that I’m either my biggest ally or my biggest enemy. As I get ready to head out this weekend for a conference, I decided to make certain I set myself up for success instead of failure.

Here’s what I’ve done:

  1. Made sure I’m prayed up. Ultimately my strength comes from God. So the foundation of my success rests on my relationship and connection to Him.
  2. Built in accountability. Doing this weight-loss thing here already carries a lot of accountability, but I’ve gone even further. I’ve let people who are going to be with me this weekend know what my goal is and what I have to do to stay on track.
  3. Rearranged my schedule. I don’t have a lot of flexibility with my time when I’m speaking at a conference, but I do have some. I can determine when I get up and when I go to bed. So I’ve found time to exercise and I’ve marked it on my notes.
  4. Invited some comrades. In addition to telling those around me what I’m doing, I’ve asked several to participate in exercise with me while I’m away.
  5. Enlisted a prayer team. In addition to praying myself, I’ve asked several others to be praying for me while I’m away. I’ve given them specific things to pray about:
    • the ability to resist temptation
    • the discipline to exercise even when I don’t feel like it
    • the blessing of good sleep

As I said above, I have the ability to act as a friend or foe on this weight loss journey. Today I’m making the deliberate choice to work for me and not against me.

Rob’s Run 5k Complete!

The journey continues! The Rob’s Big Losers have completed their 5k and the 12 Week kick start to their new lives ahead. The Greenville County YMCA mentor and coaches have invested in helping them gain a healthy lifestyle. Now they all continue on to a whole new way of thinking about exercise and nutrition. Join me in congratulating all of these amazing people who have persevered and achieved greatness in their lives.

Below are the timed results of the 5k Run and the overall results of the 12 Week journey.

I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Gives Me Strength
Philippians 4:13

Caine Halter: Race time: Bib #:
Denise Belk 32:50:00 62
Lee Ann Brooks 47:04:00 63
Jason Day 33:53:00 2nd-M 65
Augustin Edmondson 42:44:00 66
Maribeth Nead 37:30:00 67
Lynn Rogers 53:50:00 68
Tammy Sanderford 41:07:00 69
Suzy Sullivan 53:35:00 70
GIT:
Rob Clayborn 45:28:00 46
Jason Farr 56:34:00 47
Alexandrea Huntley 39:10:00 48
Krisina Satterfield 47:25:00 50
Eastside:
Tim Bryant 37:42:00 3rd-M 35
Lisa Dyer 46:21:00 36
Jennifer Farr 46:51:00 37
Shari Horeth 47:56:00 39
Patti Massullo 48:41:00 40
Melinda McBrayer 35:41:00 41
Mark Sloan 44:56:00 42
Verdae
Kristina Durham 43:26:00 71
Keith Page 42:22:00 72
Ashlee Simpson 51:37:00 89
GHS
Regina Anderson 34:05:00 52
Kim Cooksey 67:25:00 53
Cheryl Eaton 30:53:00 1st-F 55
Amanda McCroskey 48:28:00 57
Becky Milford 40:09:00 58
Bill Reeves 30:50:00 1st-M 59
April Sorenson 46:02:00 61
AT HOME:
Carole Albumoussa 45:39:00 76
James Anderson 36:19:00 77
Kathy Bradford 34:00:00 78
Cristie Herring 34:00:00 79
Elizabeth Jones 41:02:00 80
Rachel Joseph 31:42:00 2nd-F 81
Teresa Knepp 40:28:00 82
Cendy Simmons 43:18:00 83
Anna Neal 38:17:00 96
Melissa Roper 43:57:00 85
Jennifer Stuhl 32:45:00 3rd-F 86
Cayla Valdez 49:21:00 88

Congratulations to the over all winner at the YMCA and AT Home RBL’s and all the branch winners

Beginning Wt: Ending Wt: Lbs. Lost: %age: Branch:
Tim Bryant 336 264 72 21.43 Eastside
Jason Day 290 232.2 57.8 19.93 Caine Halter
Jason Farr 505 442 63 12.48 GIT
Teresa Knepp 195.8 171.6 24.2 12.36 At Home
Keith Page 197 178 19 9.64 Verdae
Bill Reeves 227 206 21 9.25 GHS

The end of the beginning…

What started twelve weeks ago came to an end this past Saturday! What an amazing ride it has been! I am humbled, honored and blessed to have had the opportunity to be one of Rob’s Big Losers. It has been a journey unlike any other for me, as far as my health is concerned. I have met some amazing people! I have thoroughly enjoyed following the journeys of my fellow RBLs… Gus Edmundson, Jason Day, Tim Bryant, Andrea Huntley, Krisina Satterfield, and Rob Clayborn to name a few. The interesting thing is that I first met Gus, Jason and Tim this past Saturday at the RBL 5K Race.  We had been following each other’s journeys through the blogs and although we had never met face to face, there was instant camaraderie. Even though we were “competitors”, we were also brothers and sisters who had journeyed together over the past 12 weeks. We each arrived at Saturday’s finale having achieved different goals and yet, we were all winners! I love what Rob Dempsey said as he was recognizing those who had the highest % of weight loss. He stated, “Remember, everybody here is a winner! This is not a competition, this is an accomplishment.” Great job to all who started and finished RBL2017! Whether you sprinted, ran, walked or hobbled across the finish line Saturday, you finished! You did it! For that you should be extremely proud!  Congrats to Tim Bryant for being the overall winner! You earned it!

As for me, I am thankful for the journey I have been on over the past twelve weeks, but I am even more thankful for the beautiful partner that I have had journey with me! Jennifer Farr, you are amazing! I am so proud to be your husband. You encouraged and supported me so faithfully through it all, while at the same time, you were hustling and working hard to complete your own journey to health! Way to go babe! I am so proud of how far you’ve come. I am looking forward to continuing our journey together!

Twelve weeks ago it was hard for me to get up and move because of my weight; I basically had no stamina at all! I would breath heavy with every step I took and I was very limited in what I could do.

Today, I am a new person! I can walk without getting winded. I don’t come home from work and collapse in the recliner! I have more energy! I’m sleeping better and I need a wardrobe! How’s that for a twelve week metamorphosis?! I still have a long way to go but I am over halfway to my first milestone of losing 100 pounds (only 37 more to go!) It’s not a matter of “if”, but “when”! That’s the beauty of this competition! If you commit to it and consistently do what the trainers and coaches tell you to do, you will see results, and you will have a change in attitude, heart and body!

I am so thankful for all who have joined with me on this journey.  Through it all I have felt God’s presence and the love & support from countless family and friends. For that I am eternally thankful! This is not the end for me, it is only the beginning!!!

“Look at the nations and watch – and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.”Habakkuk 1:5

#LosingIsWinning

Access All Twelve At Home Workouts

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Here is your Rob’s Big Losers AT HOME  workouts. These workouts and weekly runs will help you gain your health back and prepare you for your first 5k.

Week One

Week Two

Week Three

Week Four

Week Five

Week Six

Week Seven

Week Eight

Week Nine

Week Ten

Week Eleven

Week Twelve  

Weekly Workouts Planned By YMCA of Greenville (SC)

Leslie Knox –  ACSM Certified Personal Trainer

Made possible in part by:

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Week Twelve at HOME Workout

Do up to three rounds of these exercises in a row three times this week

  • 10 x Walk Down/Push-up/Batman/Walk Up/Squat
  • 10 x Lunge Matrix Front/Side/Rear (Each Leg)

Weekly Workouts Planned By YMCA of Greenville (SC)
Leslie Knox –  ACSM Certified Personal Trainer

Couch to 5k Run compete two times this week

  • 5 minute warm up
  • 30 minute jog with no walking
  • 5 min cool down

RBL 5k this Saturday!!

Made possible in part by:

Week Nine at HOME Workout

Do up to three rounds of these exercises in a row three times this week

  • 20x Squats
  • 20 x Flutter Kicks
  • 15 x Plies’
  • 15 x Bicycles
  • 10 x Hip Thrusters
  • 10 x Crunches
  • 5 x Jumps Squats
  • 1 x Hollow Hold for :20 Seconds

Weekly Workouts Planned By YMCA of Greenville (SC)

Leslie Knox –  ACSM Certified Personal Trainer

Couch to 5k Run compete two times this week

  • 5 minute warm up
  • 5 minute jog
  • 3 minute walk
  • 8 minute jog
  • 3 minute walk
  • 5 minute jog
  • 5 min cool down

Meet on Saturday morning at 9:10am with Doug for your third walk/run of the week.

Made possible in part by:

woodmen-mw_4c_white-background

Week Seven at HOME Workout

Do up to three rounds of these exercises in a row three times this week

  • 10 x Crunch/Crouch/Push-up/Stand
  • 15 x Reverse Crunch
  • 10 x Curtsy Squat on Each Leg
  • 10 x Squat Holds@:30

Weekly Workouts Planned By YMCA of Greenville (SC)

Leslie Knox –  ACSM Certified Personal Trainer

Couch to 5k Run compete two times this week

  • 5 minute warm up
  • 5 minute jog
  • 3 minute walk
  • 5 minute jog
  • 3 minute walk
  • 5 minute jog
  • 5 min cool down

Meet on Saturday morning at 9:10am with Doug for your third walk/run of the week.

Made possible in part by:

woodmen-mw_4c_white-background

Pushing Beyond The Pain

What a week it has been. The excuse not to work out seems to be getting easier as I get busier at work and life seems to get in the way. Most of the week I have been having to work out later than normal, which is putting me home well after 9pm. I have work reports to finish because I worked out instead, not to mention being so tired, I can’t even think about blogging. painWhat kept me going this week that I was able to move a notch in the belt, which was good because I was at my last one. That was motivation enough to keep going. This was a very tough and exhausting week for me at the Y. I pushed myself harder than I had before in any of the previous weeks. I am happy to say I went farther and burnt more calories than I ever had, but I did pay a price. My feet are swollen, blisters, feet pain and not sure if I can walk one more step much less the work out I am about to do. A big thank you to my wife for the foot rubs and applying muscle cream to my feet to help the pain. At the end of this week, I was able to wear a pair of pants I had bought a smaller size by accident and I couldn’t take back…. YES!!! Plus, another notch in the belt. It looks like another week of pain, but it couldn’t feel better.