i ran. i jogged. i vlogged. i conquered.

This is my first attempt at vlogging. I recorded different parts of my run today. It was pretty interesting to do this. I had never done this before and I thought it was kind of cool. I've got an iphone now and I'm pretty impressed with the video quality. Be kind on my first vlog video taking.



here we go.

Believe it - you are more than your limitations!

I'm a youth minister. I have a pretty good gig. I get to do fun things, don't have to dress up, and get to be myself. One thing that comes with this job is that I have meetings every now and then with other leadership and reasons. A couple of nights ago I had a meeting and we were trying to come up with a name for a campaign we are about to embark on.

You surely understand the 'come up with a good name' complex. Didn't we all have one before we got into blogging? Obviously, it was to do with our church and someone had offered a name and the reason behind his suggestion was...."more than just a meeting place".

I liked it. I think I liked that phrase moreso than the name b/c it is more than just a meeting place. It got me thinking about other things.

Especially this time of year, people realize that they aren't as fit as they once were, thought, or dreamed of. It's a rough time of the year for many people b/c they realize that all of the past decisions when it comes to health have taken effect on their body w/o them realizing it.

Probably one of the most commonly used phrases is..."I don't remember it being this hard"...or..."I use to be able to do this no problem"...or..."ouch".

People find their instant limitations and they become afraid of the hard work, dedication, and time that is needed to be put into themselves to get where they want to go. I feel blessed that I didn't give in to that way of thinking. I know for sure that I said those very same phrases and it was scary when I realized that I couldn't run a mile if I needed too. But we are more than those limitations.

I know a woman that is 32 and had a mini-stroke a few days ago. They found an artery fully blocked, but this happened a long time ago. Instead of it having an effect on her body, another artery just picked up the slack and grew to the size that it needed to in order to do the job of both vessels. Our bodies are capable of doing so much more than what we think they are.

Watch this guy and see the limitations that he overcame. We are more than our limitations and when we believe that - we will see that in our daily lives.

2011 Goals List.

I am very resolute with accomplishing my goals list this year! Last year I set a goal to reach 1010 miles in 2010 -- I didn't make that goal, but I lost a butt load of weight trying to reach it. This year, I have a new set of goals.

Before I do post my new goals, I want to direct you to my achievements in 2010. Go here to see the list.

It was a great year in many ways! I set a goal to run 3 5ks. Well, I ran many more than that and placed in a few of them. There is nothing like getting medals after running in a race! I also completed my first 10k race in which I finished in 55 minutes something. I enjoyed it!

Here are my 2011 Fitness Goals:

• Travel by foot 750 miles and bike at least 250 miles. This can be walking/jogging/running -- as long as I get it done.
• Reach Goal weight of 170 lbs. It didn't happen last year, but it's not that far away!
• Run in at least 10 different races with 2 races being over 13 miles.
• Have my weight loss challenges go over 1000 total lbs lost!

Here are my 2011 non-fitness goals:

• Complete my reading through the Bible
• Continue to save money - (have started a blog for this adventure as well)
• Become a dad. (I know this is all in God's time, but I'll do my part [awkward? oh well])

I'm sure there are plenty other things that I want to accomplish in 2011, but they'll will come as time goes.

I want to thank you all for encouraging me this past year -- you were a huge reason why I was successful!

What are your Goals for 2011?!

Healthier Me vs. Fat Me

It's kind of funny that I'm doing this post today b/c I feel that I'm fatter than I was a week ago after the Holiday food! Here we go though.

Healthier Me vs. Fat Me

8 min mile VS exhausted after 1/2 mile
26 min 5k VS what's a 5k?
190lbs VS 256 lbs
definition VS my fat being fat
Happy VS Not Happy
active VS sedentary
Medium to Large VS 2XL
for real VS pretending
knowledgeable VS knowledgeable [interesting how we know what to do but fail to do it]
productive VS lazy
Victory VS defeated

I'm coming up on my 1 year blogoversary. It's been an awesome experience and I can only look forward!

Keep your head up and eyes focused. You will succeed.

keeping control. Meet my new friend.

Meet my new friend.
I love being able to get my runs in. I've had to do the runs on the treadmill, but b/c of my membership at the local YMCA - it's been a lot easier to get solid runs in rather than on my less sturdy treadmill. I started this journey out on Wilma [my treadmill], but have made a new friend at the Y. I have no name for this treadmill though - I need one -- any suggestions.



This treadmill can handle me going at 8 something pace for a long time - mine at home cannot. I'm sure Carol doesn't like it when she can hear me running hard on the treadmill from the other room.

keeping control.
This week I've really focused on making the smart decisions when they come.

I've given up soda completely this week. I'm only three days into it, but I've done it before and was successful so I'm not worried about this one. Every now and then, I like to give up things just to know that i can do it and it doesn't have control over me. I just like to keep control.

What's new with you all?!

Weigh In Pic. Run with the Wind 25k

Run w/the Wind 25k.

I've started training for 'Run with the Wind 25k'.

The race is just over 15 miles and it's going to be stinkin' cold b/c it's in the middle of February!

I have zero cold weather running gear to go with the race. That's okay though, I'm sure by February 22 I will have some. To be honest, I'm not sure what type of running gear I need to have to run in the cold weather. Are there any cold weather runners out there that can point me in the right direction?! Possibly even throw some not used running gear my way!

So, it'll be my longest official race since I started running and will be the 3rd race of the year. The first is a virtual 5k that I am putting on through my weight loss challenge and the 2nd is an official 5k.

Weigh In Picture.

I was being a copycat to another challenger's weigh-in picture, but I don't own a robe so I borrowed my wife's :)

Have a good night!

refusing to move, fail, stop, go

Why not feel the way that you want to feel?
Why not be who you desire to be?
Why not take control of situations?
Why not make a difference?
Why not live healthier?
Why not be stronger?
Why live in regret?
Why not forgive those who have wronged you?
Why wait until tomorrow when you can do it today?
Why wait for good to come to you when you ARE good?!
Why let someone else determine your worth?
Why let it be harder to climb the stairs than forget the extra cookie?
Why be a slave to food?
Why be a slave to anything?
Why not be the best in anything?
Why not try?
...
...there may be times that you fail
...but when you succeed
...it's because you have refused to fail
...and fought hard to live
...
there's nothing stopping you...

but you.

You ready for some inspiration?!

Have a good day!