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!

Taking what's yours.

I've been reading the book Racing Weight.

I came across a section talking to beginners in fitness/endurance sports. I'm allowed to quote out of a book right? Here goes.

"Perhaps the greatest psychological barrier to exercise, after lack of exercise enjoyment itself, is lack of self-esteem, and the attending demons of self-doubt, pessimism, and fear of failure. Lifelong non-exercisers are often ashamed of their bodies and convinced they cannot accomplish anything positive with them. There are many effective methods of battling these internal barriers. Recognizing that they exist is the first. Once you recognize that your expectation of failure in exercise is a self-fulfilling sympton of low self-esteem, instead of a rational deduction based on solid evidence, it will suddenly seem worthwhile to make every effort to destroy this illusion."

We often prevent ourselves from doing what needs to be done in order to get where we want to be.

Why do we do this?

We're scared of changes.

I challenge you to step outside of that fear, low self-esteem, and fear of failure in order to learn, achieve, succeed, and live free of negativity.

Starting Weigh-In picture. Bringing it home.

Starting weigh-in picture for challenge #6!

Gonna bring it home.

Bitter Cold. Inside Running. Excitement

...and it begins.

The 6th online challenge that I've hosted starts tomorrow! I am totally going to own this one. I have yet to own my own challenge! Ha! I'm pretty excited about this challenge.

You know those feelings that you get when you know you're going to rock something out?! That's what I have today. I'm ready for the next six weeks!

I'm going to go back to counting my calories to make sure I get enough and up my running to get more mileage. I'm going to slowly up my mileage back to where I was a few months ago. I don't want to just jump back up to higher mileage in fear of hurting myself. Because of the weather, I don't get to run outside...and I miss running outside.

I do miss running outside. I think the high today was 20degrees. It was cold. I am not a fan of cold weather at all!

I am thankful though that I have a treadmill, but I really can't stand running inside. It's okay, I'll manage and I'll ROCK challenge out.

What are you all excited about as you end the year out?!

Being the difference maker.

The other day I went through my Dashboard & Google Reader with hopes of cleaning out some of the blogs that just fail to blog or deliver a positive vibe. It was a much more time consuming task than I thought that it was going to be. It was kind of disappointing as well.

I think that most of us here that blog within the genre of weight loss/fitness have a couple things in common.

1. We blog to keep ourselves accountable to what we do, eat, don't do, and don't eat.

2. We blog to help others stay accountable to what they are doing in like manner.

and thirdly [yes I know that a couple typically means two]...

3. We can't believe how much interest others have in our boring lives :)


Outside of that third point -- we do most of this for some area of accountability to take place. As I started cleaning out my blog subscriptions, I was amazed at how many people had quit. I think I stopped following 100+ blogs...[most of which had quit and made their already short journey shorter...]

I couldn't believe it.

I was pretty floored actually.

It showed me how blessed I was in the result that I got from this blog. That may sound strange, but this blog has been a huge contributor in keeping me on the straight path. It's challenged me b/c there were times that I didn't want to be honest that I was.

I think I was able to keep a solid, positive vibe b/c of that accountability.

There are going to be a ton of blogs in this fitness area popping up in the next couple of months all searching for that accountability that most of us have.

I am challenging my readers to take one fresh newbie under their wing and help them become successful. I think some of us were able to continue on our own and some of us had to be pushed along by the couple readers that we had.

I'm going to go out and say that I think you can change someone's life by being their positive influence having never met them. Take the challenge and be the difference.

Continue with your journey, but continue on in their journey.

Leading by example.

27 days and some odd hours. That's where I stand.

I've noticed that while I am eating healthier food - I'm eating more of it. I've got to find that middle ground that I once controlled in order to hit this goal weight.

Is it life or death whether I hit that goal? No.

Is it something that I would love to be able to say that I've accomplished? Yes!

I am a competitor. I am fierce. I want to be #1.

To reach 175 lbs translates into being the best that I can...that's what I want. No matter what I am doing -- I want to be the best. That's my competitive nature taking charge.

Another thing I want to do is to help others in their struggles with weight.

For me, in order to help others means that I must be able to control myself and be the best.

I'm a firm believer in lead by example.

Words, whether spoken or written, mean nothing unless they are backed up by action.

Be the example, make a difference, and watch as it helps those around you.

A short Cold Run! House gym. Stats.

I always enjoyed the movie, 'Cool Runnings' - today, along those same lines and a play on their name [minus the Jamaican Bobsled team], I enjoyed a cool running.

I have 28 days left for me to be celebrating my 1 year anniversary. January 5th, 2010 is when I first really started trying to get fit and I'm getting there. I have a ultimate goal weight of 170, but I'm shooting for 175 by Janurary 5th, 2011. That'll make my total weight loss at 80 lbs (61 lbs in 1 year).
I'm excited for it and will continue to work for it!

I mentioned that I have been transforming one room in my house into a little gym. Below are some pics of my progress so far!

Another thing that is happening is the start of the newest challenge of Seth Tyler's weight loss challenge! It will be challenge #6! Of all the challenges [mine and others branching off - we have lost over 800 lbs! check those stats out here]

For you cold weather people - What do you do for workouts when it's freezing outside??!

As Tony puts it, "The Mother of All Workouts"

I had such a good workout yesterday that I wanted to post about it.

JUST DANCE.

I'm a hunter and once I was finished hunting [no luck last night] I went home, ate dinner, and lounged around.

I have been getting accustomed to lounging a bit more since I was sick and such and that is just not me. I don't like to do that for to long. I still needed my workout for the day, but was lacking the motivation to do it. Not sure why.

I got on facebook and updated my status asking if any of my friends in my town had any Wii games that they were wanting to let my wife and I borrow for the night. A friend from church brought some over and one of the games was Just Dance.

I'm up for anything.

We put the game in and despite it's girlyness -- it was a lot of fun and such a workout. We had a friend try to get us to play it when they were in the states, but we went against it. Sorry Alyssa [I'm only sorry if that was the game]!

It was fun.

It was a workout.

It made me sweat too.

What Kind of Unusual Surprise Workouts have you had?!

Published credit? Countdown. Hit me up!

I've cleaned my 'gym' up this past week and it's looking pretty smooth.

I'll put a picture of it up a little later. I enjoy having it at home, but it needs a lot more to become a gym.

The countdown is on and I'm moving strong! I'm stilling fighting the itchy poison ivy, but it hasn't stopped my production on the eating and fitness front!

Also, I've been working with my other blog a little bit more. Are you interested in changing lives? Hit me up and see if we can put a weight loss challenge together in your area. It's a little bit of work, but it pays off. How so?

Well, it comes back to bless you later on.

I was told about an article that was done on a past challenger of mine that was being showcased in a Missouri-wide newspaper because of her efforts in changing her health! It's not much, but she gave me some 'influence' and 'motivator' credit within the article.

It's an awesome feeling to be a part of such a life change!

Read it for yourself!

I hope you are moving in a positive direction as well!

What is your biggest goal for DECEMBER?!

The Countdown to Goal begins.

I started this weight loss journey on January 5th, 2010. I have 35 days and some odd hours to until my 1 year anniversary is here.

Can I get to goal in 35 days?

I have 19.2 lbs left to lose until my 170 goal.

The countdown begins.

I'm nervous.

afterthought:

I do understand that this is an ambitious goal and I may not hit it, but if goals weren't challenging - we'd never push our limits.

Post Sickness. Poison Ivy. Running fun.

Post Sickness.

It has been a rough two weeks lately. I guess I can't really say that it's been rough, but not the most fun. I had been sick w/congestion, snot, and a cough for a week and a half. It really hindered my workouts as I talked about a couple posts ago. I really haven't done much the last two weeks - maybe a workout here or there, but I just didn't have the energy.

Poison Ivy.

I finally got over whatever it was that was bothering me. I have been hunting (deer season here in Missouri) the last few days and it hadn't really been productive. One of the days I was hunting - I was in a deer stand 16 foot high in a tree and kept getting poked with a stick when I looked left. Come to find out yesterday, that stick was either poison ivy or poison oak. I woke up yesterday and had quite the break-out on my ear and back of my head. My ear is swollen, and all poison ivy like. Not fun.


Running fun.

I have not ran in a while until today. I hate not being able to run, but I really couldn't do much of it lately. Today, despite my poison ivy bothering me [and I didn't know if I should or not, but I did], I went for a run. It was a cold 2.23 miles, but I enjoyed it. It was fun to run again. I could tell though after today's run that I'm going to have to start going to the YMCA to run or use the treadmill at home. I'm not a fan of running inside but I'm also not a fan of sitting and being lazy :)

Do you have any Poison Ivy treatments or remedies???

Thankful for Before and After Pictures!

I am blessed and thankful!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Making Change Happen!

I don't know how I did it before holding a part time job and a full time job - blogging daily that is, but I seem to have lost the gift. I think I know what the difference is from the time that I started to now -- 55 lbs.

I think that's the reason why it's harder to blog now because I don't see the daily changes that I came so use to seeing up until this point. It's like your brain shifts direction after having lost weight. My total weight lost is at 70 lbs. My brain keeps shifting from me, as it was before while losing the majority of the weight, to others and helping them lose the weight.

I talk about it often that I run weight loss challenges. I do have a blog that is dedicated to my main challenge and others that have branched off of it. All together, the amount of weight loss combined is 765+ lbs. I love the I have been able to be a part of that. It encourages me to be able to help others that are in the same situation that I was in.

I would love for you all reading to go by and check the other site out, STWeightLoss, and show some love to those contestants, past winners, and interviews of challengers. Together, we are defeating obesity.

We are making change happen!

In other news, I was sick for about a week and a half and it interrupted my p90x training. I have completed four weeks and need to start the 5th week. It is so time consuming!

Focus Seth, focus!

I wanted to just write a little bit letting you all know that I have not fallen off any wagon, been run over by any wagon, or stopped blogging. I am very much here and also getting to check some of you all out too on your blogs!

When you lack motivation...

It's common for those trying to lose weight to get frustrated, discouraged, and lack motivation at some point throughout the journey. It's in those times that many give up and give in.

What can we do to stop that from happening to us?

The answer?

Just keep moving.

Even in those time that you don't feel like moving - move.

Those times that you don't want to work out - work out.

It is much easier to say that than to do it, but it is the truth. If we simply do the work - it will pay off. The times that I felt the worst with my journey of weight loss is when I gave in to the idea that I couldn't do it, didn't do it, and skipped out on something b/c of an excuse other than sickness.

You are worth the time investment. You are worth the sweat. You are worth the hard work.

Hard work will bring you through the times when you lack motivation.

It's not what we want to hear, but it's what we need to hear.

Keeping it real.

Weigh In Pictures!

Last Week's weigh-in pics.


This Week's weigh-in pics.

10k results. 10k race pictures.

I competed in a 10k race on Saturday -- my first official 10k race -- I finished in 55'16". I finished 17th of the men and 24th overall out of 73 people in the 5k. I enjoyed this race a lot! It really was a lot of fun. I think I enjoy the 5k more b/c it's shorter, faster, and more competitive -- but I had fun at the 10k.

Here are a couple pics from the 10k race. While at the race - I saw several people from my childhood [the race took place in the town I lived in during elementary/middle school].







If you have time -- go visit this blog too as we need some new readers/contributors! If you would like to GUEST POst about beginning weight loss and/or your struggles with it -- contact me.

www.stweightloss.blogspot.com

Ghost Gallup 5k Results. Challenge #5 Starts 2Day!

I was able to participate in another 5k this past Saturday. It was the Ghost Gallup 2010 5k. There wasn't as big of showing as I thought there would be, but it was still fun. I wasn't out to set a new PR -- I was simply out there to run b/c it's fun!

I enjoy doing 5k races b/c it's a rather short run, good workout, and I love the racing atmosphere!

I was able to finish with a rather normal time for me which was surprising b/c the P90x that I did the past week let me know that I worked hard that week. My abs were killing me 1 mile into the run. I had to definitely focus my breathing to manage my run. I was pleasantly surprised when I finished in 26'35". If I would have watched the clock - I could have pushed myself harder probably. Oh well.

I have a 10k this Saturday [Run the Burg]. I was going to do the Half, but I have not trained properly and wouldn't be able to do it competitively [and I like to be competitive!].


S.Tyler Weight Loss CHALLENGE #5

Challenge #5 starts today as well for those keeping track of the weight loss challenges! I am blown away by the results of not only my challenges, but those that have branched off. As of yesterday - the TOTAL amount of weight lost in all of the challenges [including mine and those that have branched] is 567.1 lbs!

I'm stoked to be a part of that!

If you want to be a part of the challenge that is starting today -- GO HERE to the facebook group and join [this is where the challenge takes place]!

If you would like to learn more about the different challenges - go to the website and browse around HERE. It serves as a meet-up place for all of the challenges!

If you'd like some more info not posted -- email me at stylerwlc [at] gmail [dot] com

Discipline pushes Limits!

STWLC Winner #4! I run because I can.

Can you believe it?!

I've already gone for my run for the day!

It's crazy because I'm not a morning person at all. I had the run done by 8:30am! I'm normally up already by then, but on my way to work. Today is a monumental day for me. To be able to get up on my own to run in the morning and it not be because of a race -- is simply wonderful!

The real purpose for this post is bring the spotlight on a weight loss challenger of mine. He joined in on the 4th challenge [you can join too for #5] and stuck with it to become victorious!

You can see his before and after pics here at the challenge website.

The website serves as a control center for all of the challenges branching off of mine. Eric [with his younger brother Anthony who lost 30 lbs in the challenge!] will be starting his own challenge, in which he joins Melissa [challenge #2 winner] and Matt [challenge #3 winner], in hosting their own weight loss challenges.

Between the three of those winners - they have lost a combined total [to date] of 100.4 lbs!!!!

The challenge works if you set your focus and do it with purpose.

If you would like to be a challenger in the 5th installment of the STWL challenge -- go HERE to JOIN! If you are interested in starting your own challenge, whether it be a physical location or an online challenge - shoot me an email at:

stylerwlc [at] gmail [dot] com.

If I can get up early in the morning and go for a run after doing p90x at 9:00pm last night --- you can do anything you set your mind too!

Crossfit or P90x. Strength training!

Weight loss plateaus are no fun or easy things to be a part of. I've been hovering between 185-190 for the longest time. I've made my plan and believe that it'll take me past this plateau.

I will be cutting my longer distance runs. I will still be doing the Half Marathon at the end of this month, but will not be doing the longer distances 8+ for the rest of the year. Next year I will train for another Half and possibly the full.

While I may be cutting my longer distance runs - I'm keeping my running consistent. I love to run and believe it is a great exercise, I just need to focus on strength training to get to a new level.

I have a couple options in my strength training. I've talked about increasing the strength training the last few posts - it's time to do something about it.

The two options are Crossfit and P90x. I want to do the Crossfit, but don't have the resources around me. I could try and do the Crossfit on my own, but I don't think that it's going to work. That leaves me with p90x. I have done p90x before for 3 or 4 weeks and saw some positive changes so I will come back to that.

Today, Week 1 - Day 1 - P90x begins. It'll be good.

In what way have you made changes to improve your fitness time?

Getting things done even when busy.

It's been a hard couple of weeks. When you are in the process of moving it leaves little time for running and working out. With the little amount of training, working out, running, and such; it doesn't give you a lot of material to write about.

That's a bummer...

...but that doesn't mean that things aren't happening on this end.

My weight loss challenge will be starting again in two weeks. We are currently in the last week of the 4th challenge that I've hosted. Two of the previous winners of my challenge have branched off and started their own challenge! It's so nice to be able to make a difference!

If you would like to join in on the challenge that starts on October 25, 2010. I can't guarantee that you lose weight during the challenge b/c it relies on you to do the work -- but if you do the work along with the weight loss challenge -- you will lose weight.

Click on the button on the right side of the page if you would like to check it out! Also, you could go to the challenge website HERE.

The past two out of three winners have gone on to continue in their weight loss [and lead their own challenge] and have lost over 64 lbs combined.

If you are interested in starting your own challenge - go to the Weight Loss Challenge control center and let me help you!

See, I have been away at times, but I am definitely at work!

Stay focused, stay moving, and stay controlled!

Moved. Office Pics. Fitness Suggestions?

So, we've moved. It's happened. Everything is now down at our new place. If you didn't get a chance to see our new place - my wife has blogged the whole move. Go to this post to check out the house; go to this post to see the actual move; and go here to see her recap of my 5k race :)

I just threw that last one in for fun!

I've found that it is pretty difficult to get quality [any] workouts in while in the moving process! Have you found that to be true too? After you work so hard to pack, load [by yourself] the truck, unload [thankfully w/15 people] the truck, and then unpack -- it's really hard to get in a run! I'm thinking about doing something completely different in terms of my actual strength training. As of right now, I have no strength training. I have the p90x dvds, but they do take sooo much time to do. I love p90x! I don't love the time required.

I have a friend who does Crossfit. He has had such great success with it - it's very persuasive. It also looks solid b/c of the time that it does not require. It requires you to go ALL OUT for the exercises that you get for that day. The differences that he has experienced is crazy cool. The only thing with this that I have noticed is that if you don't have a Crossfit affiliate near you, you probably don't have the right equipment to do it. Unfortunately, there is not an affiliate near me. I can do it on my own, but it costs quite a bit to get the right equipment.

I've got to figure something out. I'm stuck around the 185-190 lbs. I am so close to my goal of 170 lbs, but it feels like forever away. We'll see what I figure out.

What are your suggestions in losing the last 15 lbs?

Also, I thought I'd give you a little peak of where I will do my work from here on out. It's really kind of the office where everything gets stashed, but it'll work for me as I don't need a lot!

What has been the one thing that has propelled your fitness to another level?

V.F. Memorial 5k results & Pics.

I'm #3!

Yeah, I know that's not something that someone is usually excited about, but I'll take 3rd place! I was able to snag another medal and take 3rd place in my age division. I think I finished around 12-13 overall.

I did beat my old personal best time, but was unable to hit my goal of 25 minute range. I was 10 seconds off of my goal. That's okay though, I think I'll manage :) I've come so far from where I was 70 lbs ago - I'll take it every time.

I finished in 26'09"

Yesterday, I took some time to make a playlist that would help me while I'm running. Sounds weird, maybe - but it worked. My second mile is always my worst mile, but not today. I was pretty happy with each mile that I ran. I made sure that I had some pump me up music in the middle of the playlist. The right playlist can make a world of difference!


It was a lot of fun, as usual, and I still have my 25 minute goal to shoot for. I will tell you though that after running this race -- I was spent!


...but I am fine now. It was a cold race too, but not something that a little coffee couldn't take care of!

Self-Concept - the secret killer

Self-Concept can be a positive and a negative thing. When someone has a positive perception of themself, they have a confidence that can be undone by nothing. On the flip side however, when one has a negative perception of who they are, what they look like, what they can do, what worth they have, and of their ability - life won't look to bright for them.

If you look at what "self-concept" is...

self-concept: "the idea or mental image one has of oneself and one's strengths, weaknesses, and status,etc.; self-image." [def. found here]

It correlates well with what perception we have of ourselves.

I went to run the 5k race course yesterday and while I was running I met an older guy doing the same thing. We briefly chatted about the course and I took off again. He had already finished two miles [the course comes back on itself] and I was just 1 mile into it. For some reason - I started thinking about my self-concept. I thought about how I viewed myself and also what he thought of me as a runner. He was a veteran runner.

When I was first starting out with my weight loss, was I really 'just another fat guy trying to be skinny' -- or was I more?!

I'll admit that what I ate and how much of it did define my eating habits, my self-esteem, my self-discipline and control, but it did not define who I was. I am fearfully and wonderfully made and when I forget that...my self-concept goes down the toilet.

I kept thinking about how others see me now and how my self-image lacks. I still think of me as being fat and slow, but know that my body reflects a different image. There were times that I didn't want to look in the mirror knowing that my belly was going to be sticking way out. I still criticize my body because it isn't where I want it to be. I'll be honest. This is probably the stuff that people don't want to talk about in the blogosphere, but it's truth.

I'll tell you now though, I don't mind looking in the mirror. I like what I see - I should have liked what I saw last year, but I was blinded my a negative self-concept. Yes, I was fat, but that did not make me inferior, ugly, or unworthy of happiness.

Today - I challenge you to go in front of the mirror - take a picture - and be proud of who you are [not defined by a number, not defined by the world, not defined by a negative self-concept] knowing that you are taking the steps in becoming a healthier YOU.

Go take and post your UNAFRAID picture!

It's all in your head...my own running cartoon.

During my run yesterday, I spent some time thinking.

Isn't that what you do when you run? I guess it wasn't like that in the beginning when I was running. It was more like a...

"huff, cough, clear throat, cough, stop, walk, cough, pant, and stop again"

but that changed after a little while. I eventually was able to at least make it to my goal of finishing...despite how beat up I felt.



...but at some point - it all changed in my head from "when does this end - I can't do this - running isn't my thing" to...

...who knew?

we constantly tell ourselves that we can't do it, that it won't happen, that we don't deserve it...but you can, it will, and you do.

Running, weight loss, fitness - much of it is in our heads on whether or not we can succeed. At some point, if you stick with it (and sticking with it is a key to success), you'll have a point in time where you'll think to youself...

"oh, i did it."

Success is around the corner - are you willing to work for it?

New Home. New Job. Challenge Control Center.

New Home.

As you know, we're moving. We signed a lease on a house on Monday and my wife took some pics of the place. I thought that I'd show you around a little. Actually, I'm just going to direct you to my wife's blog because she is a better showyouarounder . Check out the New Home here!

New Job.

We are moving because I have taken a job as youth minister at a church roughly about 2 1/2 - 3 hours away. It makes for a move, but we are excited about getting into the new position and for the future of it.

I'll only have about a 10 minute drive to work - that is not that bad. I live closer to work now, but I won't mind the extra bit!

Control Center.

Also, another thing that I have done is created a control center for my weight loss challenge. Past winners have branched off and started their own challenges and I thought it would be good to have a central location for all of them to come together. Please, go and be friends of the new site. We need love there too!


Seth Tyler's WLC Control Center!
As of right now, there are three total challenges. I am looking for others that want to start their own weight loss challenge in their own neighborhood. Are you interested in that? If so, email me at:

stylerwlc [at] gmail [dot] com

What is one thing that you will accomplish today!

Weigh In picture. A gain.

I'm keeping it short today. I gained at my weigh in. This is the first gain, excluding my vacation week, that I can remember in 38 weeks. I have either lost or maintained each of the other weeks. I'm okay with that though - it happens. It's time to change up how I do things. I thought I'd give you the weigh in picture.




also, I'm looking for a couple guest posts to take place during our move next week. Do I have any takers??!

5k Race Results. Bug Swallowing. Weigh In Picture.

5k Race results.

On this past Saturday, I took part in my 5th 5k of the year. My goal this year was to do three 5k's -- it just keeps growing. Saturday's 5k was suppose to be my best time, but I couldn't get that new PR. I travelled pretty slow, but there was nothing left in the tank. That's okay though.

I was pretty stoked at this 5k because two people that I believe I have influenced in the weight loss/get healthy/running areas participated as well. They finished 3 seconds apart (I think) somewhere in the 33 minute range! I'm proud of both of them.

It wasn't my PR, but it wasn't all bad news for me.

I placed in my age division again. I got 1st and came 20something out of about 90 runners. I finished with 26'52". That is my 2nd fastest actual 5k time. I am planning to find another 5k on October 2nd and then do a half marathon on October 30th in Warrensburg, MO. October 2nd will produce my PR in the 5k. My mind is set. :)

Swallowing of the bug.

As you can probably sense, I wasn't satisfied with my time at the 5k. On Sunday, I set out to set a new unofficial PR for my 5k time. I was at pace to do what I set out to do...until a bug flew into my mouth and lodged itself in the back of my throat. I started choking, gagging, and I needed to throw up, but just couldn't. After all of that (which took place at an intersection), I couldn't get my pace and breathing back. This happned 13 minutes into the run. Not happy!

It happens though :) On a bright note, I have been able to see noticeable changes this morning in my physique. I've been able to crawl on walls, fly, and can hear really well!

Weigh in.

Also, here is the second weigh-in picture from Seth Tyler's Weight Loss Challenge #4. It's a small loss, but it's a loss. I'm going to be changing my eating habits and workouts up to get some sort of confusion in my body. I think it needs it.


What has been your favorite part of your daily routine lately?

The Move. The 5k. The Possible. B4 and Afters.

Is it just me or is the Summer time the hardest time to blog? It seems that I just don't have the time to blog during the Summer. Either way - if you haven't seen any comments from me on your blog recently, just know that I do visit them.

The Move.

It's public news now so I can share with you too that I have accepted another position at a different church. Carol and I are pretty excited about this decision and its something that had been prayed about for a loong time. It's cool to see things come to fruition. This news means that we are moving...again. We don't really like the whole moving process at all. Some people enjoy it and like the thrill of the move -- we like the idea of the move, but the actual move = headache.

Headaches are no fun. Hopefully though we will have a very smooth move. We've started going through things and have a pile of 'keep', 'garage sale/giveaway', and 'trash'. I think Carol is getting better at throwing things away :).

So that is the big news!

The 5k.

I have another 5k. It's tomorrow morning. I'm going to try and beat my past 5k times. If you look at the Goals/Achievements page you'll see that my PR is 26'24" in the 5k in Clinton, MO. I'm hoping to be in the 25' range tomorrow. We'll see how that turns out tomorrow! I'm pretty excited about it. There is also a couple people from the weight loss challenge I host, Seth Tyler's Weight Loss Challenge, that are running it as well. I'm pretty stoked for us all to finish!

The habit.

I'm trying to start a new habit. Cooking. I don't do a lot of it, but have in the past. Carol doesn't like to cook, but likes to bake (her pumpkin muffins are delish!). One way I figured that I can make sure we eat healthy stuff on a very regular basis is to simply suck it up and cook. It's really easy to look at the kitchen and say, "Subway tonight!". I need to cook. I think I'll get the cooking thing down, but need to make sure I look at how long the recipe says I need to prepare. I went to cook something two nights ago and realized that I was suppose to marinate the chicken overnight!

Put that in bold letters cookbookmakers!

I don't have much else for you today, but an old comparison picture to close with...

I love looking at the comparison pictures because it shows me that I can accomplish what I never thought I could.

still questioning your capabilities?

Question no more.

Doubt Kills the Runner...

If you think about it - the one thing that kills the run, the runner, and the runner's time....is doubt. Metaphorically that is for all of you strictly literal people :)

Let's give this theory a little thought.

I grew up fairly athletic. I played each sport that was offered. There were times when I would get injured though. One time I was playing in a baseball game and the outfielder slid under me while I was catching the ball and tore all the ligaments in my ankle. I played Superman and acted like it was nothing and tried to get back in the game. The injury didn't stop my mindset of finishing what I had started.

Living in the MidWest, there tends to be several stormy days. Sometimes, those stormy days amount to several consecutive days of rain in a row. I remember though earlier this year when it was raining that I completed a PR to that date on the one mile run. The elements didn't stop my mindset of finishing what I had started.

I started running as a way to aid in weight loss. I was a heavy man that hadn't really run long distance before. You could have found me slogging (slow jogging - thanks Louis) around Clinton knowing that I'll hit my goal. Those goals were a lot less than what I have now, but my weight didn't stop my mindset of finishing what I had started.

but doubt...

doubt will stop me in my tracks everytime if I let it's ugly face show...

doubt is to a runner as kryptonite is to Superman -- it's detrimental.

I think I had doubted my running ability up until last night. I knew I could run, but could I run the longer distances. Could I do the Half Marathon? I questioned myself and my ability to do so, until last night.

I hit what I consider a milestone for my running. I ran 10 miles straight with no stopping. It was at a slow pace -- but for me to go that long, it'll be a slow pace :)
10 miles is a big number for me. I ran for nearly 2 hours. Up hills, down hills, 2 miles of gravel, and rickety bridges. It was a 11'13" pace that I am proud of.

No more doubt, just belief.

I am success.

What has been your Kryptonite?

Weight Loss Challenge #3 Winner Before and Afters!

The fourth installment into my Weight Loss Challenges has begun. There are 18 participants this time around and it is the largest and heaviest per person that we've had. I am really excited for this challenge for a couple different reasons. The first is because I am helping people get healthy. I'm excited for that. The second is because more people breeds competition. It's easy to tell who the winner would be if it only had 5 or 6 people taking part, but with 18...the competition will be pretty tight. I'm excited for this and the challengers are excited for it.

As I said though, the 4th challenge has started and it is time to do a post about the previous winner. I'm pretty familiar with this last winner as he is my brother. He had joined the 2nd challenge, but it didn't really sink in. Something clicked though and the 3rd challenge was his from the beginning. There were some people that stuck with him, but week after week he added to his lead. Matt lost a total of 20.4 lbs in the six weeks which put his percentage lost at a crazy 9.98%!

I think he was a little upset that he would not be able to participate in the next challenge, but he definitely rocked that one. Below is a before and after picture of him.

He will be directed to this page so be sure to give him some awesome love on here. He has worked hard and sometimes it just feels good to be appreciated for the hard work right?




Be sure to show your support.

WeightLoss Challenge starts 2day! Still taking Challengers

The Fourth Installment to Seth Tyler's Weight Loss CHallenge starts today! This is the heaviest challenge to date and is promising to be the most successful one as well! I am really excited about this challenge! We are still taking challengers for this challenge. There is a grand prize after six weeks and a weekly prize for the week's most percentage lost. This really is set up to be the best challenge yet. There are 12 challengers this time around so far....will you make 13? It is only $10 (which is used only for the prizes). There have been 2 female winners and one male winner! I will be doing a blog post shortly about the last winner with before and afters! He lost 20.4 lbs! Check out a previous winners blog salute here!

You still have time to enter the challenge and will need to do so by 10:00pm tonight!

Are you in a rut and want something real to come and keep you accountable?!

Here is that something real!

If you are still unsure if you want to enter -- go check out the challenge page for yourself and see just how encouraging and helpful that it can be! We'd love to have you --- be sure to check out the rules as well!

Superman! Vacation! Weight Loss challenge!

Hey everyone! I'm posting from Manchester, TN this morning getting ready to hit the road for Tybee Island, GA. I don't know much about Tybee Island - we just picked a spot and said, we'll drive there. We still have about 6 hours to drive, but will have a few days to spend there. I'm pretty excited about the beach. If there are a lack in posts -- you'll know why at least.

The Weight loss challenge that I host is over. It was the 3rd challenge and it went really well. The winner, and I'll do a post about him like I did with the last champ, was actually my brother who lost 20.8 lbs. This is a six week challenge. He rocked it like crazy! I lost 1/4 of that weight, but am happy for that.

I'm just trying not to gain that 6 lbs back on vacation. If I gain a 2-3...I'm okay with that b/c this is vacation and I will enjoy more than normal. Yay!

On our way driving yesterday -- we saw a sign for "Giant Superman Statue" -- of course we turned off the hwy and went to see it. This is what I want my healthy body to look like :)


I hope you all have a great day! Stay focused and keep moving.

The Question: Do you think I can be a runner?

the question.

My wife asked me today a question right out of the blue, "do you think I can be a runner".

my answer.

I wasn't expecting it and I was like, "Yeah!"

I wanted to ask her a lot of questions, but she cut me off and said that we'd talk about it over dinner.

the results.

Dinner came and I couldn't wait to talk about it so I asked her if she wanted to start running. (You have to understand me here - I love running and she has never shown any interest really in it...so this is exciting to me). I told her why I thought she could be a runner and then I said that I'd run with her tonight. We let our food settle for a while and then got into some running clothes and we stretched. One of the ways that she tried to convince me to run with her was that running with her would be a good warmup for my run. She was right - it was. But before I get too far - we ran a mile tonight. We both know that running can be pretty difficult in the beginning, but with discipline - it will get easier. We stopped a few times, but that's okay because we were out there MOVING! I'm super proud of her. I'd say she ran about .6 of a mile. We finished that mile up in 13'17". She did great. So, Carol, can you be a runner? Yes. you. can.

and more.

After Carol and I finished our run I went for a run of my own. I got a PR today. I chose to run a 2 mile course and wanted to kill it - and I did. I ran 2 miles in 17'12". That is a 8'35" pace. This is by far the fastest 2 mile run I have done and it felt great! I think that warmup did help me out. If I was in a 5k race tonight and only had 1 mile left and only 17'12" had gone by --- I'd be booking it to finish big!

What is ONE thing that you just want to ROCK like nothing else?!!

Addicted too... Wedding. Weigh-In Picture!

Addicted to...

Some people and I were talking recently about addictions. You know, not once did running come into the discussion. Drugs, alcohol, and gambling all showed their face, but not once did running come into our discussion. I know though what I'll tell someone if they ever ask if I have an addiction - running and LOST. The running must stay, but the Lost - if I had to, I could let it go.

I don't remember where I read it, or maybe I heard it, but the person said they don't work out because they are afraid that they'll get addicted to it because they tend to become obsessed with things. I think that is a cop-out to not do the work, but can maybe see their position. It's still not enough to not do the work though -- it is your life you're neglecting!

Now, there are a few body physiques that gross me out b/c it simply, in my mind, is too much - but it's not my body.

Can you be so addicted to make your body too fit?

I don't know the answer to that and truthfully, I'm just rambling, but what I do know is that I love running. I love what it teaches me. I would just like to go ahead and say it on record.

I, Seth, am addicted to running.

Wedding.

I had the opportunity to be the officiant at my sister's wedding. It was a lot of fun and a lot of work. I got to see family that I hadn't seen in quite some time and when they saw me -- their mouths dropped and they couldn't believe the weight that I had lost. It made me feel good. Below is a picture of me at the wedding.


Also, here is the End of Week 5 Challenge photo. This has been a tough challenge for most people in it, but the number keeps dropping!

What is your favorite Workout Song?

Decide. Discern. Deliver. 3 steps to success.

It's no secret that most runners think a lot. When you are running 20+ miles a week - you have a lot of time to think. It isn't always about one thing, but when I am running I think of big dreams, big goals, and big successes. I am a visionary thinker and while that may have its own problems sometimes - it creates movements. I have a lot of big ideas that I'd like to see come into their own in time, but I do understand that many of them will not. Those ideas that will come to fruition though - will come by me following three different rules. These three things will require motivation, desire, optimism, and self-discipline.

The only reason I bring these things up is because if you followed these rules while getting healthy - you will see success. They are simple. They are accurate.

The first step is to Decide. You have to decide to make the change or not. You don't even have to know how to make that change yet, you just have to make the decision to go about changing. Prior to me making my decision to do this - I was unhappy, unmotivated, and held no self-control when it came to health. I did make that decision though and have made it this far. It takes one simple action to say - "I'm tired of living this way - I want change". It's hard to make change happen, but it can happen. It all starts with a decision. This decision is not the only thing though that you need to do for change to happen. I know there were many times when I was sitting and watching The Biggest Loser and said, "I want that to happen to me", while I continued to eat my Stuffed Crust BBQ & Extra Cheese pizza. I made the decision to change, but I did nothing else. I think many of you have found yourself with that same memory. Making the decision is the first step - but it is not the only step.

The second of my steps is to Discern. You have to be able to tell the right way from the wrong way. You have to discern what is the best route for you to take in order to make that change happen. As I made my decision to change while in front of the TV and eating pizza on the couch - I didn't choose the right direction. This is the step in which you do the homework to your change. Losing weight typically doesn't happen without you taking the initiative. That would be nice though for you to make the mental decision to get healthy and then your body agrees and loses without any change of habit. That'd be great! That's not how it works though. You need to have a plan of attack in order to get your health back. Is your method going to be through running, biking, lifting, swimming, and/or another program (this is all mixed in with the healthy eating of course -- what is it, 85-90% of weight loss is due to proper nutrition?). Making the decision was only a 1/3 of how it happens, making a plan to follow is another 1/3, and that brings us to the actual follow-through.

The third step is Deliver. In basketball, when you are shooting the basketball - if you fail to follow through than your shot is going to be off the rim. In Baseball, if you fail to follow through with your swing, you will miss the ball or have a little blooper. In Golf, if you fail to follow through with your swing, you dig at the grass, slice, and miss the mark. It's the same with fitness, if you fail to follow through - you will not succeed. There are many bloggers out there that claim to be on the weight loss front, but are failing to step up to the plate because they don't follow through. Weight loss can be very difficult. Getting healthy can be very challenging. All you need though is to execute follow through and you've done your part. So, you've planned to run a mile today? Run a mile and count that as a success. Did you say you would only eat 1800 calories today? Eat 1800 calories today and enjoy your self-control!

Think of how much you are gaining while you are losing!

Decide to make a change, Discern the best route in going about that change, and Deliver on that decision.

This is for you to do. You can make change happen. You can succeed. You will succeed.

Home Food Database. HalfWay Giveaway Winner. Awesomeness

awesomeness.
I'm going to start out with the Awesomeness; well, what I feel as awesomeness. I have been rocking my food intake that past few days. My wife and I's anniversary was this past week and we took a small getaway - and while I took part in a few calories that I wouldn't typically in a normal week...I was still able to produce a very, very small loss. It was only a .2, but even if it were a gain I'd be okay with how this week went. I have been shooting for around 1800 calories a day and have been hitting them outside of those 2 1/2 days we were away. I think that is pretty awesome. My body just naturally feels that its back on schedule. That's awesomeness to me.

Home-Food Database.
When we got back home, I made a calorie & sugar food database on a spreadsheet of the foods that we have at home and what I typically eat. I have been able to simply use a formula to record all of my daily calories by simply clicking on a few boxes -- and i don't have to go online to do it. I've even included quick finds on the spreadsheet so that I don't have to go to each ingredient, but that all of the ingredients have already been calculated together to make my find and recording simple. I'm pretty proud of it and it helps for me to keep track -- and I don't have another login to remember :)

Halfway Giveaway Winer.

The giveaway that I was hosting - F.W.A.P. HALFWAY GIVEAWAY - celebrating my halfway mark to my 1010 miles in 2010 goal ended on Friday night. There were 50 entries into the giveaway and using a random generator, the number chosen was.....42.

comment #42 was made by....

Cassie said...
And as far as a simple exercise, I'm not sure what it's called, but like triceps extension (I think) where you have a hand weight over your head and drop it down and raise up over your head. Very simple for me to do while I am at work...

Congratulations Cassie! I will need your information in order to send you your AWESOME gifts! Thanks for participating. email [styler (at) cccb (dot) edu].

What is something that you have been AWESOME at!!!

F.W.A.P. HalfWay GiveAway!

I know that this is the moment that you all have been waiting for! Who doesn't love a good giveaway?! I have reached and surpassed the halfway mark to my goal of 1,010 miles by foot this year. I have overcome many obstacles along the way -- including that broken ankle of mine and have lost a whopping 47 lbs since starting this year and 66 lbs since starting my fitness journey!

If you cannot tell -- I'm pretty stoked about this. It's all down hill from here!

Now to the giveaway. This Giveaway is free for anyone to enter as long as you follow the entry procedures. I hope that you win and that you keep up with your own fitness journey!

I'm biased, but I think this is a pretty good giveaway!
Enter now to win the F.W.A.P. HalfWay GIVEAWAY

(included in the giveaway is one pair of iLogic headphones, one Gold's gym 65cm exercise ball, one beaded jumprope, one headband, one 2010-2011 weekly planner/journal, and one $10 Subway giftcard.)

Please leave a SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY!!!

1 - Become a follower of my blog if you are not already and leave a COMMENT.

2 - Tell my why you want these prizes and leave a COMMENT.

3 - Tell me which post on Fit With a Purpose is your favorite and leave a COMMENT.

4 - Post about this giveaway on your blog, Twitter, OR Facebook account and leave a COMMENT FOR EACH W/Link.

5 - Tell me what your favorite simple exercise is (push-up, sit-up, squat, etc.) and leave a COMMENT!


The F.W.A.P. HalfWay GiVEAWAY will end on Friday August 13th, 2010. Winner will be announced the following day!

Halfway. Oops. Picture.

Hey there everyone! As you can see on the right sidebar -- I made it halfway to my goal of 1010 miles in 2010. With that being said - I have the HalfWay Giveaway post....to post tomorrow!

Oops.

I have all of the stuff for it, but failed to take a picture and would hate to start the giveaway with no glimpse at what you are getting. I will say though that this giveaway is for anyone to enter when it starts! Even though I do not have a picture of the giveaway items yet - Here is a picture of me in my office for you. I thought it'd be better than nothing, although some may argue that nothing would have been better! :)

Halfway Giveaway. Running the Eight Ball. pocket belt.

I wanted to go ahead and do this post now because my me and Carol are going to go out tonight and wouldn't have time later to do it. Well, I would have time, but don't want to spend my Friday night writing a post. I will though, however, be doing a 1.4 mile run tonight when we get home. Why would I do that you ask -- because I'll have reached 505 miles for the year. That means that I am at the halfway mark to my goal of 1010 miles travelled (by walking, jogging, running)!

I think that calls for a giveaway. You may remember the last giveaway I had (I like to think it was a pretty awesome giveaway if I may add - ask Katie J!). This giveaway is going to be equally awesome! The giveaway entries will begin tomorrow and their will be a post devoted to only it. You'll want to make sure you check it out because it will be pretty solid! That will be tomorrow!

Today, I asked on facebook how many miles I should run for my run today and I had only one answer - 5.2 miles by Steve @ 265andfalling. Thanks Steve! I ignored his suggestion though and only ran 4.02 miles. :)

I decided to run to a local landmark and then I would make a loop having that as my far out destination - that landmark was the Eight Ball water tower. Yes, my town has a water tower that is painted like an Eight Ball...you know, like in billiards. Just another normal thing around this town.

And here is your proof.
Prior to my run today, I really needed something to hold my phone. I like having my having my phone while running because I get to take the awesome pictures throughout the run. Another positive is that my iPod's battery was low, the mp3 player needed a new battery, and my phone just happens to be able to be used as a mp3 player. It all worked out except that my shorts don't have pockets. That's not a problem - go to the wife and ask her to make you a belt that has a pocket on it so that it can hold it for you while running handsfree! Perfect idea.

She was actually busy doing something, but I went to her craft room and placed her sewing machine in front of her and said, "sew!". Okay, not quite like that, but I found an old shirt of mine and with some of her materials - we made a homemade version of a runner's carry belt. Here's the steps that we took.

1. Cut an old black t-shirt sleeve off.
2. Cut sleeve in half and folded over to make a pocket using hem (terminology is not correct I'm sure) as top of pocket w/hole.
3. Sewed (of course with pink yarn b/c that's what was already threaded on the machine) on the inside of pocket the bottom seam and side seam which left top hole open.
4. Took gray t-shirt yarn (my wife makes yarn using old t-shirts, cool huh?) to use as drawstring of top pocket opening.
5. Took bottom hem of a green t-shirt and made that the actual tie-on belt and sewed pocket to belt.
6. Cut a hole in the phone pocket for headphones to come out of.
7. Tied the belt in a double knot and took off. Didn't feel it the entire run. Was pretty awesome and enjoyed the creative nature of it. And we made it using all recycled material. Neat huh?


Back to the running of the Eight Ball Tower. It made me think about a tip that you could use for running and to gain speed.

Use a landmark and take a timed easy run to it. The next time you run to this landmark, try to beat your previous time there. Continue with trying to get that best time to that specific landmark. If you are worn out by the time you get there - walk home. No big deal to walk. This is just an idea for you to try. If it doesn't help - don't do it - no harm done.

Until tomorrow - and the awesome HALFWAY GIVEAWAY post - be blessed.

Guard Giraffes. Park Running Pictures.

So, I'm rarely asked all the time about where I run. I thought that today would be a good time to show you some of where I run. It is usually nothing out of the ordinary until you run by bushes that are trimmed to be in the shape of giraffes. Again though, nothing out of the ordinary in the town of 3,000 right? Ha!

This morning I decided that it would be good to start the day out with a short run. It was actually mid-morning and I had already been busy, but there's always time for a short run right? I actually changed it into a tour of the town I live in attempt to find odd things about this place. I think the best was the above picture - guard giraffes.

I had a pretty slow start to this challenge, but have picked up some steam as it continues. I'm looking for this month to hold the most miles in my attempt to hit 1,010 miles this year. I am just under halfway there and we have already been though 7 months. I've got quite a few miles left in a short period of time. Looks like I have some extra initiative I guess.

Another part of most of my runs travels through one of our parks. It is a nice place to be as you can see in the below picture. The not so large body of water is about 1/2 mile around.

I don't typically run around it time after time, but I do travel around it to get to the other side of the park. It's nice on the eyes and it is close to the 1/2 way mark around the normal 3 mile route I take.

I still have a workout to complete tonight. With that said, enjoy the rest of your night or the rest of your day (if you're reading bright and early!).

What will you accomplish today?

Sickly Skinny. Insight Letter. Weigh In Picture.

I think we all have those times when we just run out of steam when it comes to blogging - I hit that last week and didn't post at all for a week. It's back though. It's clicked again and here I am.
Lately, I have had people tell me that I look sickly skinny (and I am no where close to that), but do believe it is because they are the ones that knew me when I was big. Mac at getfitslowly did a post about this and I agree with him. People that have known me big will have an opinion on how I look and at how I will look when I hit goal weight. It may not always be a positive opinion. I never thought of it this way, but people will now poke at me telling me I need to eat more or that I am too healthy. It's weird to think that.

Can it be that my weight loss has them feeling inferior or has given them personal convictions about their own weight?

Either way, I know where I need to be and I will not stop. The challenge that I have been hosting has been going well and I have reached the 180s again. I finally feel that I've found my groove again in weight loss. No more maintaining! I haven't felt like this in a couple months - glad to have it again.

I wrote a message, as I try to do often, to those that are participating in the challenge. I thought that it applied to all of you reading as well, so I have posted it for you.

Hey Everyone!

Week 3 can be very challenging for a lot of people during this six week challenge. Some have dropped out after just two weeks in prior challenges and I hope that this is not the case with this one. Last week appeared to be a tough week for many of you - myself included. We all have different things going on in our lives that play a part in how active we are in our pursuit of better health.

I just wanted to give you some insight and also to challenge you to take a closer look at how this can make a difference in how you live your life.

I use to weigh 255 lbs. That is, according to my BMI chart (which many insurance companies go from - ridiculous I know), 85-100 lbs overweight. I was unhappy with how I looked, unhappy in what I could and couldn't do, and unhappy in how I felt physically. I was good at hiding it though and you wouldn't have been able to tell that I was unhappy. Something clicked though and I wanted to change. I saw a picture of myself that was taken during school. I thought to myself, "that's what I look like?". At that point, I gave up my mountain dew addiction. I lost 15 lbs the rest of that year and all I did was give up Mountain Dew. This year - starting January 5th, 2010 - I have been disciplined, self-controlled, and motivated to get to 170 lbs. I've lost just over 50 lbs this year and feel pretty great. It's amazing the difference in how I hold myself, how I feel, and how bright the future seems.

I don't write this message to boast on my accomplishments or successes, but to show you that you can do this despite how difficult it feels sometimes. Success builds on success and you can overcome the difficult periods with discipline, self-control, and motivation to be what you were meant to be. We were not meant to be lazy, fat, or a slave to bad habits. Choose a healthier life and see just how far you can go.

I have 19.6 pounds to go to hit that goal weight and I will get there. I want to help you get to where you want to be too. Don't view this challenge as just a way to win money or something that is temporary, but as an opportunity to build a strong foundation to a mountain of healthy successes.

Week 3 will be our best week yet if you set your mind to it. Focus and follow through.

- Seth

There you go. Here is my last weigh-in picture for the challenge.