Weekly Update Ya'all!

Everybody! The Flan Challenge is speeding along towards the 206 goal! Today I ran about 5 miles and weighed myself at the gym... you ready for this?...Here it comes... 214 pounds! This is amazing... I really should write a book about the Flan Challenge, the secret is so simple, but I won't tell you guys, you can buy my book.... coming soon.

I was so happy about 214 pounds, that on my way home from the gym, I began thinking about what type of things 214 can represent. Here is a list of some things I found.

• There are 214 bones in the human skeleton (ironic isn't it?)
• If you add up the numbers 2+1+4 you will get 7... the number of legendary Yankee Mickey Mantle. Mantle was always shooting for the stars and he always hit the stars. He once said, "Somebody once asked me if I ever went up to the plate trying to hit a home run. I said 'Sure, every time.'" I view the Flan Challenge as a home run, and I am trying to hit it every time I work out.
  
• 214 is the area code of Dallas, Texas... Hi Devin and Andrea Williams. Hope Dallas is treating you good.
  
• February 14th (2-14) is, of course, Valentines Day, and it should be noted it is also two days before 2-16... Ice T's birthday (Thanks Dad).
  
• Feb. 14th is the birthday of legendary sportscaster Mel Allen... the longtime voice of the New York Yankees and perhaps the best baseball play-by-play voice ever (with the exception of possibly Vin Scully).
  
• In the year 214 b.c., construction began on a famous 4,000 mile stretch of wall... (The Great Wall in China).
  
• Boy Scout Troop 214 of Los Osos, California could possibly have the best (or only) website of a Boy Scout Troop. Honestly, this site is incredible for a boy scout troop, maybe I would have stuck with it if we had something like this... check it out. www.southbayscouts.org.
  
• 214 songs on the Grand Theft Auto IV soundtrack.... never played the game, but how weird is that... 214 songs.
  
• The winner of "The Biggest Loser 3", Erik, lost a total of 214 pounds to become the winner of that season... he lost me.
  
• Some 61 year old lady in Arizona last year was found with 10 bundles... or 214 pounds... of marijuana in her home... that is a lot of weed.
  
• And most recently... 214 pounds is what I weighed in at today.
  

Thanks to all who support. 8 more pounds to go until the goal is reached!!!

• 
  

216 216 216!!!

I hit 216 today!!!! How is that for a weigh in? It was a great feeling to see that on the scale.

Not much time tonight, just wanted to drop in the update. 216!!!

On a serious note

While most things that I write on this blog are lighthearted and in jest, and most of what I write on this blog is fun and hopefully humorous to others, I would like to quickly write something on more of a serious note.

As I was listening to the Jim Rome show today on 1280 AM, he took a few minutes out of his show time to discuss September 11, 2001. He then said that all of us should take the time to reflect on that day, I thought I would use my blog to give somewhat of a small tribute out to the people who died in the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the mine field in Pennsylvania.

If any of you are like me, there was so much going on that day and it was all so shocking, it all seems like a blur looking back. But the one thing I can remember are my feelings.

I had just turned 18 years old less than a month before the attacks and I was away at the College of Eastern Utah, where I was playing baseball. One of my roommates came into my room and woke me up just a little after 7 a.m. Utah time. He explained to me what was going on and I turned on the t.v. to see the sights myself. Just after turning on the t.v. I watched live, with most of America, as the second plane hit the second tower. Upon hearing about the other attacks in D.C. and Pennsylvania, I was shocked and horrified. I remember feeling very scared. I wish I could have been near family and friends at the time because being an hour and a half away from the people I knew and loved brought out even more fear in me. I realized that terrorist were most likely not going to attack Price, Utah, but it wasn't just that type of fear, it was fear for people who lost family members or didn't even know where their family members were.

My life was forever changed, as was everyone's. I remember our baseball games and practices were canceled, our classes were canceled and all we could do was watch the news and read the articles. I bought a notebook that afternoon and wrote down all my feelings, I wish I knew where that notebook was because it would be interesting to read.

I attended a memorial either that night or the next day and those feeling continued to hit home. Annie and I had a chance to go to Ground Zero a few years ago and the solemn and sobering feeling that exists there is unparalleled by anything else I had ever seen. Annie and I were also in London less than 12 hours after the attacks on London in 2005 and many of those same feelings were present during that time as well. But the underlying message that I take from these attacks is to keep going.

One of my favorite quotes is something along the lines of "dream as if you will live forever and live as if you would die tomorrow." I am renewing a conviction in me to take each day as a gift and not take anything for granted.

My hope is that we can all continue, no matter what tough things may come our way.

Update

Wow. It has been a while since I last wrote on my blog. I was in Washington D.C. last week hanging out with my dear sister and her dear husband (both of them are dear to me).
We had so much fun, for a look at our pictures and the things we saw in D.C. visit annieandkyle.blogspot.com. (Annie has posted all our pictures). Thanks to Steph Hedberg (Proc in my mind) for her kind words on my comments of my last blog... it is great to hear the stories of how skinny I am... Joe and Heidi as well, much appreciated. Keep feeding my ego and will continue to not feed my stomach (too much).

I haven't had a chance to go to Gold's to get a weigh in, however; Karissa and Brady's (the people who are dear to me) scale was a great sight, it had me as low as 214 on one day (probably not completely accurate, but a great feeling nonetheless). I will be heading to Gold's in the next couple days and will update with a weight at that point.

On Saturday I did the running part of a triathlon relay. My dad started us off strong with the swim (fourth one out of the water), then he cruised on his bike (eighth or ninth one in from the bike), then I pushed it to bring us home on the 6.2 mile run. I feel like I did pretty good and we think we took first out of the relay teams, but apparently the timing company doesn't quite have things figured out yet and so we are waiting on the results.

My knees are very swollen and hurt when I walk, but all in all, a successful weekend. Thanks and look for the update on the weight.

Peace.

Under 220!!!!! And a 6-mile run!

I am ashamed, it has been over two weeks since my last post. Thank you to all my faithful readers who have offered their support via comments on my last post.
Shawn and Katie, I appreciate your deep concern and love for me, Shawn's words have been laminated and placed on my desk for me to draw inspiration from daily.
Scott Murray, I know in the short-term me feeding Mason dirt and encouraging him to continue to enjoy playing in the dirt has had detrimental affects, however; in the long-term, I am confident that the dirt he has eaten will only bring strength and immunity to disease.

Now, getting to the good stuff. Last Saturday I weighed in at 218 pounds!!!!!!!!!!!!! I broke the 220 barrier. I was so excited at the gym, I found that same tiny Asian man from a month ago and gave him a huge hug. To celebrate I threw a pool party at the gym. I brought my BBQ grill into the pool area, we had live music and prize give-aways. Thanks to Gold's for letting me utilize their pool facility for the big party. And to the 70 and older water aerobics class, I'm sorry you had to see what you saw, but hey, a party is a party.

Today I ran the furthest I have ran in a while, 6.2 miles, as I prepare for the running leg of the Yuba Lake Triathlon on Sept. 6. My Dad will be taking care of the swimming and the biking distances, and then I will complete the relay with the 10K run. I am preparing double-time for that big race.

I will be heading to the gym in a couple hours to complete the weekly update, I will keep you posted with the current weight situation and, Gold's Gym willing, I will give you all the information for this week's Gold's Gym pool party/dance extravaganza.

Stay tuned for a weight update this afternoon and some pictures from the last two 5K's I've done. Peace.

Another Weekly Update

I don't have much time, but I thought I would give the weekly statistics right now for my weekly update and then I will post about my latest 5K run, along with pictures.

WEEKLY UPDATE, AUGUST 4,2008

WEIGHT: 220- the same weight as last week, I hope to crack that 220 mark this week.

FOOD EATEN: Losing a bit of discipline in this department, I have kind of let myself go a few times. I promise to tighten back up on my eating habits this week.

EXERCISES DONE: Another 5K, this one at the Highland Fling. I will be doing another one this Saturday during Lindon Days.

Thanks to all for support and wish me luck.

Next Stop: Skinny Town

I will keep this brief, as I am currently enjoying the Braves 2-0 lead over division foe, Philadelphia Phillies.

This last week was a great week, although it didn't start out that way. After my weigh in last Saturday, I was 223 pounds and I was feeling pretty good. So, Monday after I was done at the Rocky Mountain Revue, I headed home and called Annie and asked her to order pizza for dinner.

I hadn't had pizza in a long time, not since the beginning of the challenge. I enjoyed my 5-Buck pizza very much. Then on Tuesday I was out at the Flash Factory in Lehi and someone there had ordered some pizza from Papa Johns. I figured, I had done so well that I deserved more pizza. I had two slices. Wednesday I was determined to eat better since I had our race on Thursday, but lo and behold, I had pizza Wednesday night from this place in Provo.

Yes. Three days in a row I had pizza. Needless to say I went crazy exercising on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and wouldn't you know it, I weighed in at 220 pounds on Saturday!!!!!!

I was so excited at the gym, I nearly started my musical celebration again, but I withstood.

Here are the stats for the week.

WEEKLY UPDATE, JULY 27, 2008

WEIGHT: 220 pounds- Hopefully next Saturday I am under 220!

FOOD EATEN: Way too much pizza, no more for me for a while.

EXERCISES DONE: Another 5K run, and running on the treadmill with the incline set to 15.0... that is very difficult and burns a lot of fat.

Thanks for the support and wish me luck.

Another 5K Run

Annie and I did another 5K run on the 24th of July in Provo. Things went great and we both improved upon our times from the 4th of July. I came in at 28:06 (previous time of 29:36) while Annie finished at 32:00 (previous time of 34:35).

I was going to take a video camera and record some of my running, but I thought twice about that when I thought about possibly stepping in a hole while I was trying to film and rolling my delicate ankles, so this is the only photo I have.

I am currently searching the races that are coming up in hopes of finding a few more to do in the next month or so, I will keep you all posted.

I am off to the gym right now, really going to go at it today and tomorrow before my weekly Saturday weigh in.

Thanks to everyone.

Creeping up on 220!!!

Imagine my surprise when I stood on the Gold's Gym scale on Saturday! Imagine my jubilation! Imagine my pure pride, imagine the tears swelling up in my eyes as I reflected upon the work and struggles I had gone through these last seven weeks. Imagine how weirded out, but yet proud, that tiny Asian man at the gym was after I hugged him coming off the scale. Imagine the chills that were shot down my spine as I ran from the scale to my car, through the human tunnel made by all in attendance at that glorious occasion. Picture a kid, eight pounds thinner, jumping for joy with the 2:00 p.m. ladies yoga class as we enjoyed my success together.

In deed, the day was good and the work is showing forth marvelous fruits.

I stepped on the scale and saw 223 pounds... eight pounds less than when the challenge began. There are so many people to thank, I don't even know where to begin.... so I won't.

I have another 5k coming up on Thursday, I promise pictures and video footage from that race will be put up that day. I will be carrying a camera and will be filming me during the race.

WEEKLY UPDATE, July 22, 2008

WEIGHT: 223 pounds... look out 220, here I come!

FOOD EATEN: pretty good for you food, although there has been a couple pizza breakdowns and of course, otter pop season is in full bloom and I can't just let those go to waste. But other than those things, I am doing great.

EXERCISES DONE: Too many to count, we're talking running, crunches, biking, and dancing.... lots of dancing.

Wish me luck everyone and check back for the 5K updates. Thanks to all who have encouraged me.

One more pound!...and some sideaches

I missed the update yesterday, but am posting the information right now.
One more pound has been shed off the blob that I have called a body for the last couple years. That brings me down to a 225 pound mark that I am pretty proud of.

One thing that has been driving me insane is the constant appearance of side aches while I am running. I have tried everything from not drinking soda to regulating my breathing while I am out running. If anybody has any idea on what might stop or slow down the appearance of side aches, I would love to hear them.

Please let me know if you can help me out with the side ache problem.

Other than the constant pain in my sides while running, I have really been enjoying my running experience. Running on the treadmill is about the worst thing ever, never have I been more bored while running, I am also taking suggestions for how to improve my treadmill experience.

I look forward to the suggestions and advice from everyone. Thanks.

WEEKLY UPDATE, July 14, 2008

WEIGHT: 225- Lost one more pound this week, I think I had a big smile on my face when I stepped on the scale at the gym... and thanks to the removal of my chapstick from my pocket, the weight was lost.

FOOD EATEN: I was doing awesome until yesterday. We had a barbecue for Annie's dad's birthday and I let myself go a little bit. There was a fantastic cake that I dove into like a homeless man. There were peanut butter bars that were enough to make Mary Kate Olsen breakdown and eat. There were hamburgers that looked so good off the grill that I couldn't help but enjoy one.

EXERCISES DONE: Lots of running... I will be starting a new running schedule... I will be running shorter distances on Monday-Friday of the weeks and then on Saturday I will be embarking on a much longer run, in preparation, hopefully, for a half marathon in January. who knows though, I could crap out by then.

Thanks everyone and wish me luck.

Week 4

28 days have come and gone since the beginning of the Flan Challenge... and it has been a splendid 28 days.
I hope everyone's Fourth of July was all they expected it to be, I know mine was.
Annie, my dad, my sister Kaitlyn and I all ran the Freedom Run 5K race on the morning of the Fourth of July. It was a great way to spend the morning and I felt so refreshed.
I finished with a time of 29:36... not too bad. I felt pretty good (despite the huge, pregnant ladieS that passed me in the process... yes I said ladies... plural.)
This is the most recent picture of me that is out there... and I am proud to say that those five pounds are nowhere to be found in the picture.
I am registering for another5K race on July 24th in Provo, in hopes of surpassing my time of 29 minutes.
I want to recap some of the highlights from my first four weeks as a "healthy" human.

• Swearing off Skittles- I've done it a thousand times, I had another break down last night at a movie and gave in and tasted the rainbow.
  
• Running Shoes- what a difference good running shoes make... I feel like I am taken seriously now when I am running and that I am not just another fat guy on a quest to lose weight.
  
• Others eating- if you can recall, Mr. Quinn's adventures at the Costco eatery. This was one of the toughest things for me to go through, watching Travis down so much food in so little time and knowing that the mere sniff of it moves my stomach over my belt.
  

these are some of the many highlights I have had in the first four weeks. Here are the weekly statistics.

WEEKLY UPDATE- July 6, 2008

WEIGHT: 226 (still the same as last week, but I feel much better. I found myself removing everything before I step on the scale at the gym. I remove my chapstick even, as if that is what is weighing me down.)

FOOD EATEN: Much better... I added asparagus to the regimen over the week and it was delicious. Grilled on the BBQ and fantastic. There are no more Skittles at my parent's house, however; my mother replaced them with peanut M & M's... not better.

EXERCISES DONE: The 5k was the biggie for the week and it was great. I also ran a mile on the treadmill, with the incline at 5.0... very tough.

Anyway, wish me luck and thanks for the support.

21 Days and 5 pounds Later

Things have been fantastic for the flan challenge. I lost three more pounds and am down to a thin 226 pounds.
Yesterday at the gym (after I ran two miles and biked two miles) I stood on the gym scale, not knowing what to expect due to my trip to Atlanta and lack of exercise, and lo and behold I was down to 226 pounds.
While in Atlanta, I was very strict on my eating behaviors and think that despite the lack of exercise, my eating was the key.
Tonight we are at my parent's house and I am really trying hard to withstand the sugary whisper of the infamous Skittle. I am trying to uphold my end of the challenge from Annie to avoid Skittles this whole day.
I walked into my parent's house... headed to the cupboard where the sweet treat is kept, opened the cupboard and stared at the bag. There we were, the rainbow of colors staring at me and me staring at its deliciousness.
I began to turn my head away from its glare, but couldn't seem to pull my eyes off the bag. It seemed as though every time I was going to close the cupboard and look away, the bag whispered to me. It was saying "kyle...kyle...kyle...just pour a few of us in your hand and enjoy."
After what seemed like an eternity, I pried my eyes off the bag and slowly closed the cupboard. I had defeated the bag of Skittles, I had outlasted the sugary treat.
As of now, I have still not given in to the temptation of the Skittle.
Here is the update for this, week three.

SUNDAY, JUNE 29

WEIGHT: 226 pounds (not bad eh?)

FOOD EATEN: Lots of new things... spinach, for one, has been a new addition to my diet. I keep the spinach on my favorite meal at Noodles and Company now.

EXERCISES DONE: A bunch of running. Last night I ran another mile and a half or so (after having done two miles earlier in the day). I have golfed a ton this week and have lugged the 30 pound bag around the course, which has led to some great exercise.

Week three is down. I am on my way towards the goal of 25 pounds lost. I have set a date for the 25 pounds to be completed... December 1 of 2008 is when I hope to be weighing in at 206. Wish me luck and thanks for the support. Peace.

A challenge within the Challenge

There is a smaller challenge that has brewed withing the context of the whole Flan Challenge. Annie has challenged me to avoid all Skittles tomorrow (Sunday) night at my parent's house.
This may seem like a small feat to many people, however; for me this is no easy task.

My third weekly update will be coming shortly, and I will include how I did on my Skittles challenge. Stay tuned.

Two Weeks Down-Weekly Update

Fourteen days have come and gone and things have been great!

My dad competed in the Provo Triathlon yesterday (he finished first in his age group and fifteenth overall) and it really got me even more motivated to keep on going.

So I went to the gym last night, intent on doing my own mini-triathlon. I swam first, swimming is one of the hardest things that I have ever done. I have been in pools before, done the marco polo, done the other pool games, but swimming laps is a whole different thing... very hard.

Then I went to the bike, sat down with my book and began pedaling. After about twenty minutes, my knees were hurting, so I decided to skip the running part of my mini-tri. I will go at it again this week and hopefully complete the whole thing.

Here is the update for this week:

JUNE 22

WEIGHT: 229 (Still the same as last week, not sure why, but will go at it harder this week)

FOOD EATEN: I ate great for most of the week, until yesterday... the stupid Owlz game got me again, but I did a great job the rest of the week so I figured that I deserved it. Today is the day of truth... the battle with the parents pantry... wish me luck there.

EXERCISES DONE: Lots of them... I went for a 4.3 mile run the other day and was doing great until about the last mile, then things got a little dicey. I did some swimming and some biking as well... not to mention the four rounds of golf I played this week, in which I walked instead of drove in a cart.

Thanks to those who support me... wish me luck.

Day Ten, Feelin' Thin

As I was sitting at work this afternoon, I got to thinking how thin I was feeling. Now, whether or not it is showing on the outside, I sure feel great on the inside.

I have been doing pretty good, eating smart, lessening my quantities and really going after the exercise. But despite all this, there are a few things I have still noticed, please allow me to elaborate.

• All bets on diets are off as soon as you step foot into a baseball stadium. I learned this last night as I enjoyed the Owls 13 inning home opener victory. You can't stay true to a diet inside the friendly confines of a baseball stadium. Who doesn't like sitting down behind home plate, with three scoops of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream overflowing the miniature Owls batting helmet that doubles as a bowl? Who doesn't like the sound and feel of cracking a peanut open and tossing the shell under your feet? How can anyone resist finishing off their wife's miniature batting helmet of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream when she can't quite finish it? How can I overcome my "kryptonite", Skittles, while I am enjoying the ball park? My stomach feels larger already.
  
• Watching other people eat and enjoy their food is no where near as enjoyable as eating the food for yourself. The other day I made a lunch trip with my homeboy Travis to Costco for lunch. I was bound and determined to avoid the greasy monstrosity that is the Chicken Bake/Costco Pizza combo. Travis promptly bought a Chicken Bake, a Pizza slice and a delicious Berry Smoothie... while I asked for my 6 ounce plastic water cup. I filled up my water, bound and determined to fulfill the hunger in my stomach with the ice from the cup. Travis and I sat down and my stomach was green with envy with every bite he took of the Chicken Bake and Pizza slice. What a cruel world we live in when one individual can eat from a grease and carbohydrate buffet and not even feel a thing, and the other individual feels bloated after three cubes of ice and the smell of a Churro. Kudos to Travis though... Kudos to Travis.
  
• Skittles... how is it that Skittles don't ever run their course. I have experienced a candy cycle with nearly every other candy known to man, but Skittles have been constant. I have been through the Big Hunk phase, the Whatchamacallit phase, the Mamba phase, the Hershey's phase and of course, the Oompa incident of 2001 phase. Each of these candies have ran their course and were short lived in my candy consumption, however; Skittles have continued to grab a hold of me. With each red, purple, green, orange and even yellow fruity blast that goes into my mouth, another chain is attached to my love handles and pulls me even further in. If anyone out there knows the antidote for a serious Skittle addiction, please let me know. I would be indebted to you for years.
  

Those are a few of the things I have noticed, but when it all comes down to it, today is a good day. It is Day 10, a day of feeling thin.

One Week Down-Update Time

Day Seven has come and gone for the most part and I feel pretty good about the first week of the Flan Challenge. I have done a much better job in regulating my eating habits.

One thing I have realized is how easily swayed I am by the simple smell or faint whisper from a sugary and sweet old friend. This weekend saw Orem City celebrate the long-awaited Summerfest and with Summerfest came one of my compadres from my past...the Churro.

I couldn't resist the Churro booth as I made my way up and down the Summerfest aisles, I gave in and enjoyed the cinnamon and sugar dipped piece of dough. Despite my Summerfest breakdown, I was still feeling okay about Saturday because I was able to keep myself pre-occupied with a round of golf with L.C. and then a jog on the new shoes to the gym.

Enter Sunday. Not a lot to do on a Sunday afternoon, except eat. I had my SlimFast in the morning and was feeling pretty good until we headed to Annie's parents house where I enjoyed a few too many marshmallows and a couple pieces of Hershey's chocolate. After making my way through the sugary wilderness that is Annie's parents house, I ran into a much larger problem.

The junk food gauntlet that doubles as my parent's house. I entered the house with my guard up and my senses heightened. I was determined to withstand the fiery darts from the pantry. Annie had made some delicious cupcakes for our Primary class and needless to say, I downed a few of those at my parents house. However, these cupcakes were of the miniature variety so I did not feel that I had really had a let down. Then, my sister made the most wonderful biscuits that are covered in a sugary frosting and blueberries and I couldn't resist. After giving into those, I determined that I was done for the day. The rest went a little something like this.

Pantry: Hey Kyle, what's up man? not much here, just chillin.

Kyle: Listen pantry, you're cool and all but I really don't think we are right for each other.

Pantry: Yeah, I heard about your "challenge" and how you are swearing off what I have to offer you.

Kyle: Well, yeah, I'm trying to drop some pounds and get in better shape.

Pantry: Yeah, I know how that goes man. Listen though, I just got a brand new bag of Skittles and I am telling you right now, there is something different about this bag. You have got to give it a whirl.

Kyle: hmmmm... I better not man.

Pantry: Seriously, I respect your decision. But I don't want you to miss out on this particular bag.

Kyle: That is a good point, I guess it wouldn't hurt.

Needless to say, I gave in and ventured into the pantry, found the bag of Skittles, slowly tore it open and proceeded to down a quick forty. My personal promise to each of you is that I will avoid the evil pantry next week, I will overcome the firm grasp it has had on me. Wish me luck.

WEEKLY UPDATE- June 15, 2008

WEIGHT: 229 (Lost two pounds, despite the Sat and Sunday breakdown)

Food Eaten: Some crap, mingled with much better food. The jury is still out on vegtables, but they will get another chance this week.

Excercises Done: Lots of running and some swimming. Took the new shoes out for a jog from my apartment to Golds Gym, in hopes of working out at the gym and then jogging home. Underestimated the distance and heat, needed a ride home from Annie.

Day 6= brand new kicks

Okay, today is a monumental day. Today is the first weigh in of the flan challenge. I will be weighing myself today in order to have the stat for the Sunday weekly update.
I got some new kicks (shoes for those who don't speak shoe language) today and they are off the hook. They are Brooks Defyance shoes and I took them for a light jog and felt like I was running on a cloud.

These shoes (shown above) are so great, I can't wait to get out and start doing some serious running. For those who aren't that familiar with me, you may not know that I have some serious joint problems. For those who know me well, you know that I struggle even walking (frozen creek on the way to see Olympic torch) without blowing out an ankle. I have the worst luck in the world helping people (unloading moving van in Washington) without completely popping and blowing out all the work that the previous surgery had done. I can't simply jump (overthrow at first base, summer before senior year) without coming down and lodging my knee cap in my upper thigh.
So needless to say, the shoe choice is crucial in my progress through the challenge. This shoe will allow me to run further and will, hopefully, take some of the pressure off my aching joints.
I am off to a round of nine holes at the golf course and then I will head to the gym. Stay tuned for the weekly update and the oh-so-anticipated weigh in tonight. Wish me luck.

Day 3- How about a "dead end" sign 1350 South

Dear 1350 South,

Would it kill you to have a sign at the beginning of your road that lets people know that you are a "dead end" road? Did you know that those signs exist? Did you know that you could save people a lot of trouble?
I am already out there running on the streets and with my A.D.D. I need some fresh scenery to keep me interested in running, therefore, I would rather not run to the end of you and then have to turn around and run all the way back, past the same stupid houses I saw already.
Sure, the dirt trails at the end of you were a welcome to my bored feet, but if you don't have a way out of the dirt trails then it nullifies any amount of fun trail running that I may have been having. Please consider my request... thank you much.

Concerned Runner

Day 2

Well, the first couple days of "The Flan Challenge" have gone off quite all right.
You will all be pleased to know that last night Annie's family invited us over for crepes, and if you know me well, you know that I love any type of dessert that is spoken with a French accent and can be purchased on a street corner across from the beautiful cathedral that is Notre Dame. Needless to say the temptation was very strong, but I stayed true to the challenge and fought back the demons from the underworld of desserts. While Annie's slim family sat enjoying the tasty crepes, drenched in a crepe sauce that is sure to make your taste buds dance with delight, I enjoyed my bowl of plain strawberries and raspberries.
Yesterday was the funeral of Annie's grandfather, Roland, the services were very nice and the family is very optimistic that they will be reunited with Roland at some point. After the funeral the family (and by family I mean all 1,213 people that make up the Strong family) headed to the church building for a lunch. I fell for the cunning lies that are carbohydrates and gave in to some of the most delicious rolls (my ultimate soft spot) and of course the highly touted funeral potatoes... which are great. Although I fell for the carbohydrate's empty promises, I was able to maintain some dignity as I limited myself to very light helpings. For the evening meal, Annie and I headed to our favorite dining spot, The OutBack Steakhouse. Fighting back the temptation for a nice, succulent steak, I opted for the more sensible Queensland Salad. The salad was fantastic and as I returned home I fought off the strongest desire of them all... the late night bowl of cereal.
This late night bowl of cereal has been getting me since my 8th birthday and last night I won the battle, I defied the odds and left the cereal bag staring at me from its position next to the toaster oven.
I am just about to set the Braves game to record and head to Gold's Gym where I will be enjoying a nice run and perhaps a swim as well. Today has been a great day. A slimfast in the morning and a Ceasar salad for lunch are all that have found the seemingly bottomless pit that is my stomach. After my workout I will enjoy a nice bowl of fruit to top it off and then I will be fighting the cereal again. Wish me luck.

What is the challenge?

As I downed 63 Skittles yesterday and then proceeded to eat two peanut butter bars, two rice krispie treats and one and a half chocolate chip cookies today, I decided that it was time to make a change.

I am inviting everyone who reads this to follow me on my journey to drop my weight by 25 pounds. I have tried dieting and I have tried to work out and watch what I eat on my own and I have failed miserably every attempt. I figure that with many of my friends and acquaintances following my every move and holding me accountable via my blog, I will be able to stay disciplined and reach my goal of 25 pounds lost.

I will post every couple days with information on what I have eaten, how I have worked out and what progress I have made. There will be photos recording my progress and there will be plenty of opportunities for readers to assist in... "The Flan Challenge."

Please join me on my journey of exploring vegetables, fruits, juice and exercise. Walk with me as I leave carbs, sugars, sweets and carbonation in my large wake.

WEEKLY FACTS- Sunday, June 8, 2008

WEIGHT: 231

FOOD EATEN: Total crap

EXERCISES DONE: Absolutely zero