WORSHIP AND COUNTRY MUSIC
So I think I'll start a cowboy church. OK, no, I'm lying. But I've had a thought brewing, and I forgot it for a while, but flipping through the radio stations yesterday brought it back to mind- I've learned more about God and my own faith from listening to country music that from listening to Christian music. (AHHHHH, INTERVENTION! Get this guy some Casting Crowns, STAT!) No seriously, hear me out on this.
I'm not saying that there is something inherently doctrinally-sound in every country song (see Kenny Chesney's "Everybody Wants to go to Heaven"), but it all boils down to this- country music cuts the crap. Seriously. And I don't consider myself a die-hard country music fan- I enjoy all kinds of music, and I love leading the praise band at our church. but it just seems like a GOOD country song gets to the heart of the matter, says it plainly, and tugs at the heart strings just enough to not make you feel manipulated. I look at so much of Christian music, even worship music, and it seems like it all just recycles the same old cliches over and over, and I feel like we get so caught up in getting the next worship "hit", working it into Sunday service, that we fail to truly understand the meaning. Do we even know the meaning? Is there a clear meaning?
Bottom line, as cynical as it sounds, listen to "I Saw God Today", "Watching You", "I Thought I was Tough", and you get more per-song wisdom on how to view life, how to love your wife well, and our responsibility to be an example to our children, than ten of your average "Jesus is my boyfriend" worship songs. Don't get me wrong, i am SOLD OUT to worshipping God- but I guess my observation is really how sad it is that I can get more spiritual "meat" listening to country radio than by popping in the latest worship CD. Man, I've gotta stop being a hypocirt and start writing some worship tunes, and put my money where my mouth is. We've got to raise the bar on our COMMUNICATION OF LOVE TO GOD, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! Yippee Ki-yay, sweet baby Jesus!
11.10.2008
11.03.2008
10.30.2008
HEY, THAT'S ME!
Wow, so I preached this weekend...and nobody walked out. I spoke about stewardship at my home church, and it went pretty well. It was weird, talking openly and frankly about money, challenging people to do what the Bible says about money....it was a little un-comfy, but that in and of itself was awesome.
So yeah, if you're curious, you can click HERE (Oct. 26) to listen to my 45 minute rant. I can rant though, because I'm as guilty of the things I was talking about as anyone else. I included a riveting, very basic outline of my message below. Gaze upon it in shock and wonder.... that is all for now.
I. Stewardship= Managing resources for God
II. Basic financial concepts from Scripture
A. Tithe- 10% (Matthew 23:23)
B. Save (Proverbs 13:22, Proverbs 21:20)
C. Greed (I Timothy 6:9-10)
D. Debt (Romans 13:8 (NASB)).
E. Charity (Acts 2:44-47)
III. Where Are We?
A. As A Nation
2 Chron 7:13-14- God’s “Bailout plan”-
Parable of talents (Matthew 25 14-28) 0
B. As Believers
Proverbs 22:7
Proverbs 6:1-5
Louie Giglio- “Follow the trail of your time, your affection, your energy, your money, and your allegiance. At the end of that trail you’ll find a throne; and whatever, or whomever, is on that throne is what’s of highest value to you. On that throne is what you worship.”
IV. The Challenge
A. Malachi 3:6-12
Wow, so I preached this weekend...and nobody walked out. I spoke about stewardship at my home church, and it went pretty well. It was weird, talking openly and frankly about money, challenging people to do what the Bible says about money....it was a little un-comfy, but that in and of itself was awesome.
So yeah, if you're curious, you can click HERE (Oct. 26) to listen to my 45 minute rant. I can rant though, because I'm as guilty of the things I was talking about as anyone else. I included a riveting, very basic outline of my message below. Gaze upon it in shock and wonder.... that is all for now.
I. Stewardship= Managing resources for God
II. Basic financial concepts from Scripture
A. Tithe- 10% (Matthew 23:23)
B. Save (Proverbs 13:22, Proverbs 21:20)
C. Greed (I Timothy 6:9-10)
D. Debt (Romans 13:8 (NASB)).
E. Charity (Acts 2:44-47)
III. Where Are We?
A. As A Nation
2 Chron 7:13-14- God’s “Bailout plan”-
Parable of talents (Matthew 25 14-28) 0
B. As Believers
Proverbs 22:7
Proverbs 6:1-5
Louie Giglio- “Follow the trail of your time, your affection, your energy, your money, and your allegiance. At the end of that trail you’ll find a throne; and whatever, or whomever, is on that throne is what’s of highest value to you. On that throne is what you worship.”
IV. The Challenge
A. Malachi 3:6-12
10.29.2008
JON ACUFF
So, in the spirit of change being the only consistent thing, I am once again changing directions on this blog. Or rather, I plan to actually blog, not try to figure out some stuff people might link to or want to hear, then get discouraged cuz no one does and I feel phony, and then give up on blogging and go back to life.....yeah, that sucks. I'm still doing the martial arts thing, still love it, but it's not so much the focus of my life that I can devote my whole blog to it, for crap sake.
ANyway, title line. Jon Acuff. If you haven't been to stuffchristianslike.net, go there. He's got us pegged. Seriously. We're THAT BAD. HA! He spoke at our office today, just a funny, unassuming, honest guy who just happens to share my "spiritual gift of sarcasm", except he REALLY has it, I just have moments of it....WOW. So good. His talk provided some good points to ponder, and like the good little christian I am, I had to go right back and COPY everything he said.....he said tell your story, don't write or do just what people want you to, so I am doing just that. Starting with the blog, we'll see if I can get some of that into my actual life without imploding....should be fun. A people-pleaser trying not to people-please. It's like, "Hey, I could give two craps what you think of me.......seriously, if you want two craps, I will totally get those for you, I hope that's OK.". Yeah, that's me ALL DAY.
So anyway, here we go. Maybe I'll blog a time or two now.
So, in the spirit of change being the only consistent thing, I am once again changing directions on this blog. Or rather, I plan to actually blog, not try to figure out some stuff people might link to or want to hear, then get discouraged cuz no one does and I feel phony, and then give up on blogging and go back to life.....yeah, that sucks. I'm still doing the martial arts thing, still love it, but it's not so much the focus of my life that I can devote my whole blog to it, for crap sake.
ANyway, title line. Jon Acuff. If you haven't been to stuffchristianslike.net, go there. He's got us pegged. Seriously. We're THAT BAD. HA! He spoke at our office today, just a funny, unassuming, honest guy who just happens to share my "spiritual gift of sarcasm", except he REALLY has it, I just have moments of it....WOW. So good. His talk provided some good points to ponder, and like the good little christian I am, I had to go right back and COPY everything he said.....he said tell your story, don't write or do just what people want you to, so I am doing just that. Starting with the blog, we'll see if I can get some of that into my actual life without imploding....should be fun. A people-pleaser trying not to people-please. It's like, "Hey, I could give two craps what you think of me.......seriously, if you want two craps, I will totally get those for you, I hope that's OK.". Yeah, that's me ALL DAY.
So anyway, here we go. Maybe I'll blog a time or two now.
9.23.2008
BACK ON TRACK
Things I did since my last post:
1. Ran a half-marathon (Virginia Beach...3hr, 1 min...not what I wanted, but it was also 85 and 80% humidity)
2. Broke 300!- I am now 293 lbs. 68 lbs to my goal weight of 225. We'll see from there.
3. Wore an XL shirt for the first time in 9 years.
Training continues to go well, though I've been out a bit lately, busy with work and gigs on the weekend. BUT, our cross-training in Brazilian Jiujitsu is GREAT- I always look forward to geting pounded and doling out poundings. Those hour-and-a-half sessions are some of the best workouts I've ever had (I lost 6 lbs in one night). It adds a practical, "messy" element to martial arts, which gets us momentarily away from the form and structure of Taekwondo and allows us to focus simply on survival. I thought I would hate it, and 5 minutes before we begin I DO, but as soon as we get going, I relax into it, and it is a BLAST.
I think I am going to shift into less running and more biking until the new year- I am burning out with running, though I do want to run the Music City Half in April. So, off I go, spending what little "me" time I get on maintaining MOVEMENT!
Things I did since my last post:
1. Ran a half-marathon (Virginia Beach...3hr, 1 min...not what I wanted, but it was also 85 and 80% humidity)
2. Broke 300!- I am now 293 lbs. 68 lbs to my goal weight of 225. We'll see from there.
3. Wore an XL shirt for the first time in 9 years.
Training continues to go well, though I've been out a bit lately, busy with work and gigs on the weekend. BUT, our cross-training in Brazilian Jiujitsu is GREAT- I always look forward to geting pounded and doling out poundings. Those hour-and-a-half sessions are some of the best workouts I've ever had (I lost 6 lbs in one night). It adds a practical, "messy" element to martial arts, which gets us momentarily away from the form and structure of Taekwondo and allows us to focus simply on survival. I thought I would hate it, and 5 minutes before we begin I DO, but as soon as we get going, I relax into it, and it is a BLAST.
I think I am going to shift into less running and more biking until the new year- I am burning out with running, though I do want to run the Music City Half in April. So, off I go, spending what little "me" time I get on maintaining MOVEMENT!
8.22.2008
SCARED CALM
So I arrived hom from work yesterday, and heard screaming inside my house....nothing new, my daughter is 6 going on 30, and spends her afternoons locked in combat with my wife most days. This was different though- as I made my way up the walk, I heard my wife begging for help, and saw my daughter huddled by the front window, crying. Not.Good.
So after a few moments of panic trying to get my keys in the lock, I get the door open, only to find my wife on the phone with a 911 operator, begging for her to get help to us quickly, for my almost-2-year-old son who is at this point having a seizure in her arms. My wife and daughter are both hysterical...I am about to join them. But, as I walk in the door, my daughter asks me through her sobs, "Dad, is bubby going to die?". Reality check. I look at her, smile, and calmly say "no honey, sometimes when kids get real sick they get shaky like that, and it's scary, that's why mommy is upset". She seems instantly relieved.
Now all the while, mom is screaming, understandably so, so I run over and turn off the music that's been playing in the background, just to get some clarity. I reach for my boy, and let her focus on talking to the operator. THey are on the way, and he is in the last minute or so of what would be a 2-3 minute seizure. He is unresponsive, his arms are locked rigid and sticking out from his sides, and his little hands are unnaturally curled up. He is staring off into space, but you can see life behind his eyes- he is struggling to breath and is awake, but can't move or speak. As I look at him, I say "hey man, daddy's here, whatcha doin? You're ok. Just relax". If only I could do the same.
I notice pots bubbling ont he stove, and as he begins to relax and begins grunting, and trying to move his arms, I walk over and turn off all the burners...I know we're leaving. I tell Anna some firmen are going to come in, so she could pick up toys off the floor to make room for people.....this gives her a mission and she seems excited to do it- at the least, it gets her attention off of little man for a second, who is now trying his best to cry, but can't, and trying to touch my face, but he just can't seem to control his hands, which tears me up inside....but he's coming around.
Paramedics arrive and take over, we get the carseat buckled into the ambulance, and away we go- no panic, no lights, just a quick ride to Vandy, to get hm checked out. 6 hours, a dose of Motrin, a popsicle and a sippy full of juice later, they let us head home- he spiked a fever so fast it made him seize- may happen again sometime, may never. No big deal, but scary to no end.
So, here I sit, 17 hrs later, at work on 2 hrs sleep, still feeling like I'm running on adrenaline. He's at home, awake and playing, and I feel good, but bad all at the same time. That was the msot scared I've ever been- I'm glad I stayed calm, but the weird thing is that now I feel tense and sad inside, but can't let go of it or show it. Weird. So anyway, the boy is good, and I am reminded how fragile we are, and how far I have to go in taking care of myself and my family. Nothing else for today, just need to go punch holes in something.
So I arrived hom from work yesterday, and heard screaming inside my house....nothing new, my daughter is 6 going on 30, and spends her afternoons locked in combat with my wife most days. This was different though- as I made my way up the walk, I heard my wife begging for help, and saw my daughter huddled by the front window, crying. Not.Good.
So after a few moments of panic trying to get my keys in the lock, I get the door open, only to find my wife on the phone with a 911 operator, begging for her to get help to us quickly, for my almost-2-year-old son who is at this point having a seizure in her arms. My wife and daughter are both hysterical...I am about to join them. But, as I walk in the door, my daughter asks me through her sobs, "Dad, is bubby going to die?". Reality check. I look at her, smile, and calmly say "no honey, sometimes when kids get real sick they get shaky like that, and it's scary, that's why mommy is upset". She seems instantly relieved.
Now all the while, mom is screaming, understandably so, so I run over and turn off the music that's been playing in the background, just to get some clarity. I reach for my boy, and let her focus on talking to the operator. THey are on the way, and he is in the last minute or so of what would be a 2-3 minute seizure. He is unresponsive, his arms are locked rigid and sticking out from his sides, and his little hands are unnaturally curled up. He is staring off into space, but you can see life behind his eyes- he is struggling to breath and is awake, but can't move or speak. As I look at him, I say "hey man, daddy's here, whatcha doin? You're ok. Just relax". If only I could do the same.
I notice pots bubbling ont he stove, and as he begins to relax and begins grunting, and trying to move his arms, I walk over and turn off all the burners...I know we're leaving. I tell Anna some firmen are going to come in, so she could pick up toys off the floor to make room for people.....this gives her a mission and she seems excited to do it- at the least, it gets her attention off of little man for a second, who is now trying his best to cry, but can't, and trying to touch my face, but he just can't seem to control his hands, which tears me up inside....but he's coming around.
Paramedics arrive and take over, we get the carseat buckled into the ambulance, and away we go- no panic, no lights, just a quick ride to Vandy, to get hm checked out. 6 hours, a dose of Motrin, a popsicle and a sippy full of juice later, they let us head home- he spiked a fever so fast it made him seize- may happen again sometime, may never. No big deal, but scary to no end.
So, here I sit, 17 hrs later, at work on 2 hrs sleep, still feeling like I'm running on adrenaline. He's at home, awake and playing, and I feel good, but bad all at the same time. That was the msot scared I've ever been- I'm glad I stayed calm, but the weird thing is that now I feel tense and sad inside, but can't let go of it or show it. Weird. So anyway, the boy is good, and I am reminded how fragile we are, and how far I have to go in taking care of myself and my family. Nothing else for today, just need to go punch holes in something.
8.21.2008
WHERE HAVE I BEEN?
I am fairly sure at this point I have no readers left, but what they heck, I'll update and see what happens. Got down to 297 this week, ran 10.6 miles this weekend, and gave up on the "elliptical marathon training" plan. TOO BORING. I need to be out and about, not stuck inside in one spot.
Anyway, I am now a recommended black belt, and now begin the final climb towards black belt, which will hopefully culminate in a mid-December black belt testing. We shall see. My fitness has to keep improving, so even after the race next weekend, the running will continue. More to come.
I am fairly sure at this point I have no readers left, but what they heck, I'll update and see what happens. Got down to 297 this week, ran 10.6 miles this weekend, and gave up on the "elliptical marathon training" plan. TOO BORING. I need to be out and about, not stuck inside in one spot.
Anyway, I am now a recommended black belt, and now begin the final climb towards black belt, which will hopefully culminate in a mid-December black belt testing. We shall see. My fitness has to keep improving, so even after the race next weekend, the running will continue. More to come.
6.25.2008
HOW TO LOSE 90 POUNDS IN 6 MONTHS (or, How I Did It)
1. ACKNOWLEDGE- that you are going to fail, and that WHEN you do, you just start over....it's OK, everyone messes up their plan.
2. EXERCISE- cardio, lots of it, 30-40 minutes a day, 5 days a week (6 if you're just that crazy).
3. REST- 6-8 hours a night (you won't lose weight consistently without it).
4. HYDRATE- at least 64 oz. a day of WATER, though some will say drink half your body weight in ounces.
5. SUPPLEMENTS- All I really take is a good whole food multi-vitamin...anything else is mostly hype.
6. ACCOUNTABILITY- find someone who is doing this with you, helpful if they've already done it and can prepare you for what's coming (Gracias, Senor McIntyre).
7. DIET- Ready for it? Each meal should have a fist-size portion of lean protein, a fist-size portion of fruits or vegetables, and half a fist of fat (avocado, walnuts, almonds).
NO refined sugar (though I do use honey, less impact to blood sugar and it's natural)
NO high-fructose corn syrup
NO artificial sweeteners
NO soda, diet or otherwise
NO juice, eat a fruit if you want juice
NO margarine or cooking oils- Cook in real butter or coconut oil.
NO table salt- Sea Salt only.
NO- simple carbs (potatoes, breads, pasta, etc). They're all out, at least for the first 8 weeks or so. You can add back in a bit of brown rice, whole grain bread with no preservatives or corn syrup after that.
I'm sure I'll think of more, but that's the basics of the diet. I take one meal a week off and eat what I want, and generally feel like death the following day, FYI. Drink green tea, lots of water, and DO NOT forget the fats. It seems weird, but if you don't eat some fat, nuts, avocado, something, you will NOT lose weight.
There are lots of good resources out there for diet and exercise- I've had some success with most of them. The big thing about this is that you have to make it work with your life AS IT IS NOW. Don't reinvent the wheel. Fill the house with the kinds of foods you CAN eat, and get rid of all the rest. Go OUT for your cheat meal, so you don't eat a block of cheese or a package of Oreo's at 3 AM after a bad day that just won't quit! (It's like I've been there). Always reference #1 above also- you WILL fail, so acknowledge that and be prepared to start over every time you do. THat will make the difference between just another New Year's resolution failed and a conscious decision you developed an unstoppable plan for, and then EXECUTED IT.
1. ACKNOWLEDGE- that you are going to fail, and that WHEN you do, you just start over....it's OK, everyone messes up their plan.
2. EXERCISE- cardio, lots of it, 30-40 minutes a day, 5 days a week (6 if you're just that crazy).
3. REST- 6-8 hours a night (you won't lose weight consistently without it).
4. HYDRATE- at least 64 oz. a day of WATER, though some will say drink half your body weight in ounces.
5. SUPPLEMENTS- All I really take is a good whole food multi-vitamin...anything else is mostly hype.
6. ACCOUNTABILITY- find someone who is doing this with you, helpful if they've already done it and can prepare you for what's coming (Gracias, Senor McIntyre).
7. DIET- Ready for it? Each meal should have a fist-size portion of lean protein, a fist-size portion of fruits or vegetables, and half a fist of fat (avocado, walnuts, almonds).
NO refined sugar (though I do use honey, less impact to blood sugar and it's natural)
NO high-fructose corn syrup
NO artificial sweeteners
NO soda, diet or otherwise
NO juice, eat a fruit if you want juice
NO margarine or cooking oils- Cook in real butter or coconut oil.
NO table salt- Sea Salt only.
NO- simple carbs (potatoes, breads, pasta, etc). They're all out, at least for the first 8 weeks or so. You can add back in a bit of brown rice, whole grain bread with no preservatives or corn syrup after that.
I'm sure I'll think of more, but that's the basics of the diet. I take one meal a week off and eat what I want, and generally feel like death the following day, FYI. Drink green tea, lots of water, and DO NOT forget the fats. It seems weird, but if you don't eat some fat, nuts, avocado, something, you will NOT lose weight.
There are lots of good resources out there for diet and exercise- I've had some success with most of them. The big thing about this is that you have to make it work with your life AS IT IS NOW. Don't reinvent the wheel. Fill the house with the kinds of foods you CAN eat, and get rid of all the rest. Go OUT for your cheat meal, so you don't eat a block of cheese or a package of Oreo's at 3 AM after a bad day that just won't quit! (It's like I've been there). Always reference #1 above also- you WILL fail, so acknowledge that and be prepared to start over every time you do. THat will make the difference between just another New Year's resolution failed and a conscious decision you developed an unstoppable plan for, and then EXECUTED IT.
TRADITION MEETS MMA So I was pretty excited about this when I read it- I posted a story from MMAFighting.com, about a crossover from Chuck Norris' World Combat League (WCL). WCL is ole' Chuck's answer to MMA, where teams of fighters from various cities duke it out for points, going towards a team win. From what I've seen, WCL elevates the class of MMA a bit, with more focus on proper striking techniques, and a bit less "ground and pound" (which, don't get me wrong, I do enjoy a bit of). This is a league more for the master of traditional martial arts, though that is not to say it is sub-par in any way.
The unfortunate side-effect of being founded by Chuck Norris though, is that though everybody loves Chuck, anything he puts his name to is just never taken quite as seriously as it's "non-Chuck" alternative....I blame it on "Walker, Texas Ranger" (you know you've seen it).
At any rate, it's cool to see this guy, Raymond Daniels, crossing over into the MMA world, and I sincerely hope he does well. I think it would speak well of WCL, and of traditional martial arts in general. The guy is a 5th degree black belt in TKD (props to him), as well as Karate, and I am stoked for him. If you read interviews with him, you'll probably note what I did, that he could use a little less attitude. I am of the opinion that actions speak louder than words, and usually, when some guy is saying he wants to be the best, it's generally the guy quietly training behond him who ends up whooping his ARSE in the end. Oh well, here's hoping.
Posted on MMAFighting.com 06/23/08—12:14 PM
Featured Story:
Chuck Norris' World Combat League champion Raymond "The Real Deal" Daniels will make his mixed martial arts debut at this Friday's Strikeforce event in San Jose.
Daniels has drawn comparisons to Strikeforce middleweight champion Cung Le for his unblemished kickboxing record. But instead of San Shou, Daniels' background is in Karate.
"I still haven't had any challenges or anything like that so I decided to come over to MMA and see how good I really am," Daniels said of the move.
Daniels compiled a record of 18-0 in three seasons with the WCL. As captain, he led his Los Angeles Stars squad this season to a championship. Daniels capped off the season by knocking out his opponent with a spinning back kick.
Daniels will fight Jeremiah Metcalf (8-4), who will enter the middleweight contest with a three-fight winning streak.
A lightweight title bout between champion Gilbert Melendez and challenger Josh Thomson will headline the Strikeforce event from the HP Pavilion.
6.23.2008
I AM SO LOST
Not sure what I'm gonna do this week- the do jhang is closed for world competition in Little Rock, and I am moving this weekend, so I'm sure my training schedule will be the first to go to crap! The good news is, with all the moving, I should be losing a few extra lbs. this week, which will make returning to the program next week a little easier. I want to be 299 by the end of next week. 10 lbs. to go.
My martial arts inspiration for the week comes from the movie "The Last Samurai". I make it a habit never to recommend or endorse Tom Cruise films, but I will make an exception for this one. I know it's got Hollywood all over it, and I'm sure the historicity could be called into question, but for sheer action-movie goodness, this one is gold. Check out the aikido sequence in the village, the first katana "lesson" in the rain, and my personal favorite, the main battle sequence, specifically when Ujio's (pictured above getting ready to whoop on Tommy-boy) horse is speared and he falls, and in one movement he rolls, is up on his feet, has both swords out, and dispatches about 7 or 8 guys in a row with such fluidity and grace (if killing can be graceful....oxymoron?). That scene in particular was inspring for me as I work on forms and techniques- you see that character throughout the movie practicing and always using proper form, even using a paper fan to move through a kata. I know it's just a movie, but that kind of discipline is what makes it LOOK like you know what you're doing....because you KNOW what you're doing.
6.20.2008
TRYING SOMETHING NEW
For the next two months, I'll be "running" 6 days a week to prepare for the half-marathon I plan to run on August 31. I say "running", emphasis on the "", because I'm trying something new- I'll be doing 4 out of 6 runs, including my long training run on Saturdays, on an elliptical machine. Weird, I know, and the running purists will scoff, but hear me out.
This advice came from my uncle, who has run more races than I can remember, and he told me he does almost all of his running on an elliptical. Me being at about 312 lbs right now, I thought it might be good to take on this training plan, so as to preserve what's left of my joints after my first half-marathon, which I ran a while back at 325 lbs.
For the curious, it basically looks like this-
MONDAY- Run (3 miles on 38 minutes or less)
TUESDAY- Elliptical (40 minutes, comfortable pace)
WEDNESDAY- Run (3 miles in 38 minutes or less)
THURSDAY- Elliptical (40 min, comfortable pace)
FRIDAY- Elliptical (3 miles in 38 minures or less)
SATURDAY- Elliptical (5.5 miles in 65 minutes or less)
SUNDAY - OFF
Every week, I try to get my time down while building my mileage up, but even on my long runs, I never spend more than 80 minutes on the elliptical, and by then I'm going 7 miles. We'll see how this works- so far I feel great, but I haven't had any long runs yet, so I don't know how it will feel once I'm pushing out 13.1. The theory is that by pushing my RPMs higher and higher, getting my time faster and faster, I will create endurance without logging in half-marathon mileage every week. My knees and feet like this idea. Updates to come.
For the next two months, I'll be "running" 6 days a week to prepare for the half-marathon I plan to run on August 31. I say "running", emphasis on the "", because I'm trying something new- I'll be doing 4 out of 6 runs, including my long training run on Saturdays, on an elliptical machine. Weird, I know, and the running purists will scoff, but hear me out.
This advice came from my uncle, who has run more races than I can remember, and he told me he does almost all of his running on an elliptical. Me being at about 312 lbs right now, I thought it might be good to take on this training plan, so as to preserve what's left of my joints after my first half-marathon, which I ran a while back at 325 lbs.
For the curious, it basically looks like this-
MONDAY- Run (3 miles on 38 minutes or less)
TUESDAY- Elliptical (40 minutes, comfortable pace)
WEDNESDAY- Run (3 miles in 38 minutes or less)
THURSDAY- Elliptical (40 min, comfortable pace)
FRIDAY- Elliptical (3 miles in 38 minures or less)
SATURDAY- Elliptical (5.5 miles in 65 minutes or less)
SUNDAY - OFF
Every week, I try to get my time down while building my mileage up, but even on my long runs, I never spend more than 80 minutes on the elliptical, and by then I'm going 7 miles. We'll see how this works- so far I feel great, but I haven't had any long runs yet, so I don't know how it will feel once I'm pushing out 13.1. The theory is that by pushing my RPMs higher and higher, getting my time faster and faster, I will create endurance without logging in half-marathon mileage every week. My knees and feet like this idea. Updates to come.
6.19.2008
FOCUS, DANIEL-SAN
So the few of you who visit here will notice that much has changed here on my blog. I want to re-focus and re-purpose this thing, partially because it feels pointless to ratttle on about my life with no end in mind, and also because I need the accountability of tracking my progress in front of people.
Here's the backstory:
I started out more or less the first of 2008 weighing in at 399.6 lbs. No excuses, no rationalizing, I just let myself go. I am 29 years old, and I looked at my kids (6 and 1), and honestly with the way I was feeling, was scaed about how long I was going to be here for them. A lot of things began to happen all at once. We started a weight-loss competition at work, I started taking Taekwondo (OK,I had been doing it for a while with my daughter, but I hadn't really worked at it until about January), and my wife started seeing a doctor who put us on an awesome nutrition plan tghat has helped us both to lose weight.
So, now fast-forward to today. I am now at 314 lbs, just about half-way to my goal of 225 lbs by December (I may actually try to go to 200, but 225 is 10 lbs ligher than I've ever been as an adult, so I wanted to be realistic about my body (muscle weighs more than fat, baby). I've lost 85 lbs, I am now a Red Belt (decided) in Taekwondo, I am running a half-marathon in August, and plan to test for my black belt by December. From here, I plan to talk about the process, what works and what doesn't, how I'm feeling and how I get things done, and maybe someone will stumble across this and it will help them. WHO KNOWS?!?! Having said this, we begin......
5.28.2008
NEED TO BE CALM
I am a spaz. I get quietly, internally bent out of shape about stuff, and it gradually makes me snippy, moody, and just generally not a happy camper. I've been stressing over trying to find a place to live, and trying not to let my wife know, as she is more stressed than BOTH of us should be. Trying to be the calm, collected one is making me want to jump off a cliff though.
So house situation is still up in the air- waiting to hear from the bank about the price, hoping everything works out. It occured to me this morning that what started as "God, if this is a plan you've put in place, I pray that everything works smoothly and that You keep letting me know which way to go", had turned into "God, I'm doing everything I can to be good, but I'm stressed and getting moodier by the minute, and so PLEASE make things work". It's like we somewhere along the way decided we had to be extra good, so God would be happy and let good things happen to us. What a bunch of crap. That suggests God only loves us when we're acting perfect. Total crap- my kids showed me that. I need to quit trying to be so together, as if my good deeds or some super strong faith are going to MAKE God give us a house. Silly. Don't know why I always end up going there with whatever I'm doing.....bad upbringing maybe. Being human maybe? Who knows. I've known for a long time what a screw-up I am.
I am a spaz. I get quietly, internally bent out of shape about stuff, and it gradually makes me snippy, moody, and just generally not a happy camper. I've been stressing over trying to find a place to live, and trying not to let my wife know, as she is more stressed than BOTH of us should be. Trying to be the calm, collected one is making me want to jump off a cliff though.
So house situation is still up in the air- waiting to hear from the bank about the price, hoping everything works out. It occured to me this morning that what started as "God, if this is a plan you've put in place, I pray that everything works smoothly and that You keep letting me know which way to go", had turned into "God, I'm doing everything I can to be good, but I'm stressed and getting moodier by the minute, and so PLEASE make things work". It's like we somewhere along the way decided we had to be extra good, so God would be happy and let good things happen to us. What a bunch of crap. That suggests God only loves us when we're acting perfect. Total crap- my kids showed me that. I need to quit trying to be so together, as if my good deeds or some super strong faith are going to MAKE God give us a house. Silly. Don't know why I always end up going there with whatever I'm doing.....bad upbringing maybe. Being human maybe? Who knows. I've known for a long time what a screw-up I am.
5.27.2008
FOOD HANGOVER
So yeah, I feel like crap today. Went out for a belated anniversary dinner last night, which turned into a progressive dinner of sorts. Used our giftcard form CHRISTMAS to hit Maggiano's for some so-not-on-the-detox-diet Lasagna and Spinach and Chicken Canneloni. Excellent, by the way. After that it was off to Green Hills, to walk around the snooty mall making fun of all the "social elite" out to do a little boutique shopping. After we had sufficiently worked off the pasta, it was off to the Cheesecake Factory for a double-whammy- White Chocolate Rasberry and a Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake. I.Feel.Sick.
I wake up this morning fully prepared for the food hangover, and as if on cue, it was waiting for me. I feel 20 lbs heavier, and just feel gross. Taekwondo at lunch today, that should be a treat! Oh well, back on the plan. Goodbye carbs, I miss you already (OK thats a lie, right now I couldn't eat any more pasta if I HAD to).
So yeah, I feel like crap today. Went out for a belated anniversary dinner last night, which turned into a progressive dinner of sorts. Used our giftcard form CHRISTMAS to hit Maggiano's for some so-not-on-the-detox-diet Lasagna and Spinach and Chicken Canneloni. Excellent, by the way. After that it was off to Green Hills, to walk around the snooty mall making fun of all the "social elite" out to do a little boutique shopping. After we had sufficiently worked off the pasta, it was off to the Cheesecake Factory for a double-whammy- White Chocolate Rasberry and a Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake. I.Feel.Sick.
I wake up this morning fully prepared for the food hangover, and as if on cue, it was waiting for me. I feel 20 lbs heavier, and just feel gross. Taekwondo at lunch today, that should be a treat! Oh well, back on the plan. Goodbye carbs, I miss you already (OK thats a lie, right now I couldn't eat any more pasta if I HAD to).
5.22.2008
CRAP I'M TIRED
And you know what the problem is? I haven't been to the gym in two days....well OK, I went to Taekwondo Tuesday, then slacked yesterday and this morning. I miss my endorphines! I am such a freakin slacker! I continue to lose wieght slowly in spite, at a rate of about 3 lbs a week. Not bad, but not what I want. 3 a week puts me at 225 by Christmas, but I'd rather be at 225 by Thanksgiving, and then start working on getting things TIGHT! The long uphill battle begins.
So yeah, training again for the half, trying to figure out how to pay for my plane ticket to VA! Maybe I'll sell plasma.....oh wait, then I'll be too weak to train. Crap. I guess I just have to work. Maybe I better quit blogging and make a phone call or 20......
And you know what the problem is? I haven't been to the gym in two days....well OK, I went to Taekwondo Tuesday, then slacked yesterday and this morning. I miss my endorphines! I am such a freakin slacker! I continue to lose wieght slowly in spite, at a rate of about 3 lbs a week. Not bad, but not what I want. 3 a week puts me at 225 by Christmas, but I'd rather be at 225 by Thanksgiving, and then start working on getting things TIGHT! The long uphill battle begins.
So yeah, training again for the half, trying to figure out how to pay for my plane ticket to VA! Maybe I'll sell plasma.....oh wait, then I'll be too weak to train. Crap. I guess I just have to work. Maybe I better quit blogging and make a phone call or 20......
5.19.2008
MATTER OF PRAYER
I just want to take a few minutes to record this somewhere. I am bad about following through on prayer, and I am usually so pessimistic I don’t bother asking God for things I don’t see as “sure things”, but I had a vision of something this morning, and I can’t help but blame God for it….
It all started when we were looking at a condo to rent. We have been renting for about 8 years, since we got married, and we are SICK of it. BUT, we’re trying to do the “debt-free” thing and wait until we pay off our debt to buy a home. Problem is, Williamson County, and the whole Nashville area, is so freakin expensive, rent is WAY more than a decent home would be anywhere else, but a decent home we can afford is non-existent around here. So anyway, we’re looking at this condo, and as I am standing on the porch looking at the yard, I notice a NASTY yard across the street. Seriously, the grass is 3 ft high. Looks like no one is home, no one has BEEN home.
My recent financial educational experience tells me it’s abandoned, and may be in foreclosure… INTERESTING. So, I do a little homework, e-mail the deeds office in the county, and find out it has been turned over to a Trustee and may already be in foreclosure. I do a little more homework, find out I need to see what it was purchased for, so I can maybe make an offer if we can get the financing. Hilarious that we saw this place while looking at another, but both of us just got this FEELING about the little house. So now I am waiting for a bunch of things to happen in order, starting with finding out the sale price and then moving through the mortgage approval process. Yikes.
So anyway, I had this thought in my head, about how I put things off or don’t bother to bring things to God that I want or think are too far-fetched to brother asking for. I decided this wasn’t one of those times. It made me think also about how we always live in these little apartments, and we always feel like (and this may be weird), that all the crap and all the drama that goes on in these places over the years leaves a little mojo behind, you know? We always feel like some of the “demons” of the past live in these places, and we always say we need to pray as we move in, invite God in (not that He needs the invite, but you know) and ask for God’s blessing over the people and the interactions within those walls…..we’ve never actually DONE that, but it sounds good.
So anyway, I was thinking how cool it would be to get this house, and invite friends, family, and church family over to pray over this house. Sort of a dedication/house-warming/commissioning/exorcism/reclaiming of the space for Jesus. How cool would that be? (SO I’ve been reading Shane Claiborne’s Irresistable Revolution, and I think some of his crazy vision is rubbing off!). I don’t even know what we would be reclaiming the space for, other than for living, but it seems to me that “if you build it, they will come” might be the vibe I’m getting- “Follow through, get your home, and I’ll show you what I can do with it”.
So pray, if you read this. Pray that we find a place to live that allows us to get out of debt, and doesn’t break the bank. Pray that we can finally feel at home, like we belong somewhere, that our kids will have a home they can grow up in. I pray God will honor this effort- I’m trying to listen, pray that I hear clearly.
I just want to take a few minutes to record this somewhere. I am bad about following through on prayer, and I am usually so pessimistic I don’t bother asking God for things I don’t see as “sure things”, but I had a vision of something this morning, and I can’t help but blame God for it….
It all started when we were looking at a condo to rent. We have been renting for about 8 years, since we got married, and we are SICK of it. BUT, we’re trying to do the “debt-free” thing and wait until we pay off our debt to buy a home. Problem is, Williamson County, and the whole Nashville area, is so freakin expensive, rent is WAY more than a decent home would be anywhere else, but a decent home we can afford is non-existent around here. So anyway, we’re looking at this condo, and as I am standing on the porch looking at the yard, I notice a NASTY yard across the street. Seriously, the grass is 3 ft high. Looks like no one is home, no one has BEEN home.
My recent financial educational experience tells me it’s abandoned, and may be in foreclosure… INTERESTING. So, I do a little homework, e-mail the deeds office in the county, and find out it has been turned over to a Trustee and may already be in foreclosure. I do a little more homework, find out I need to see what it was purchased for, so I can maybe make an offer if we can get the financing. Hilarious that we saw this place while looking at another, but both of us just got this FEELING about the little house. So now I am waiting for a bunch of things to happen in order, starting with finding out the sale price and then moving through the mortgage approval process. Yikes.
So anyway, I had this thought in my head, about how I put things off or don’t bother to bring things to God that I want or think are too far-fetched to brother asking for. I decided this wasn’t one of those times. It made me think also about how we always live in these little apartments, and we always feel like (and this may be weird), that all the crap and all the drama that goes on in these places over the years leaves a little mojo behind, you know? We always feel like some of the “demons” of the past live in these places, and we always say we need to pray as we move in, invite God in (not that He needs the invite, but you know) and ask for God’s blessing over the people and the interactions within those walls…..we’ve never actually DONE that, but it sounds good.
So anyway, I was thinking how cool it would be to get this house, and invite friends, family, and church family over to pray over this house. Sort of a dedication/house-warming/commissioning/exorcism/reclaiming of the space for Jesus. How cool would that be? (SO I’ve been reading Shane Claiborne’s Irresistable Revolution, and I think some of his crazy vision is rubbing off!). I don’t even know what we would be reclaiming the space for, other than for living, but it seems to me that “if you build it, they will come” might be the vibe I’m getting- “Follow through, get your home, and I’ll show you what I can do with it”.
So pray, if you read this. Pray that we find a place to live that allows us to get out of debt, and doesn’t break the bank. Pray that we can finally feel at home, like we belong somewhere, that our kids will have a home they can grow up in. I pray God will honor this effort- I’m trying to listen, pray that I hear clearly.
5.16.2008
HAPPY FRIDAY WEIGH-IN
So I started doing my weigh-ins on Friday now that our office weight-loss competition is over, and weighed in down another 2 lbs for the week (good since I flaked on MOST of my workouts other than Taekwondo- TKD). So yeah, from 399.6 to 321 since January 1, 78.6 lbs lost, 96 to go until I reach my goal of 225......I will be there by mid-December.... THUS SAYETH THE JOSH!
Feeling pretty good, training begins now for ANOTHER half-marathon, the Rock N Roll Half in VA Beach, August 31. My uncle is running it with me, and is putting me up at his place while I'm there. Should be fun. He trains most of his long runs on the elliptical, so I am going that route, as I am still a reasonably fat tub of goo! Not for long, muthas!
UPDATE: Happy Friday, my boss is taking our department out for ice cream at Coldstone......sunuva! Ah well, long run (elliptical-run) tomorrow should take care of that. My wife may kill me for breaking the Asa Andrews detox diet plan. Ah, I've been killed so many times they put a revolving door in at the gates of hell to keep the heat in. I am getting the smallest size, just to make myself feel like I'm compromising. I'll probably get sick tonight from jumping off the non-dairy wagon into a vat of sugary-milk fat.
So I started doing my weigh-ins on Friday now that our office weight-loss competition is over, and weighed in down another 2 lbs for the week (good since I flaked on MOST of my workouts other than Taekwondo- TKD). So yeah, from 399.6 to 321 since January 1, 78.6 lbs lost, 96 to go until I reach my goal of 225......I will be there by mid-December.... THUS SAYETH THE JOSH!
Feeling pretty good, training begins now for ANOTHER half-marathon, the Rock N Roll Half in VA Beach, August 31. My uncle is running it with me, and is putting me up at his place while I'm there. Should be fun. He trains most of his long runs on the elliptical, so I am going that route, as I am still a reasonably fat tub of goo! Not for long, muthas!
UPDATE: Happy Friday, my boss is taking our department out for ice cream at Coldstone......sunuva! Ah well, long run (elliptical-run) tomorrow should take care of that. My wife may kill me for breaking the Asa Andrews detox diet plan. Ah, I've been killed so many times they put a revolving door in at the gates of hell to keep the heat in. I am getting the smallest size, just to make myself feel like I'm compromising. I'll probably get sick tonight from jumping off the non-dairy wagon into a vat of sugary-milk fat.
4.29.2008
TOO MUCH TO BLOG ABOUT
My brain is on overload right now, trying to process through the death of my uncle, our impending move, being a week behind at work from being in a training session all last week, and being EXHAUSTED from running my first half-marathon this weekend (finished in 3:13). I am relieved to be through my training, past my red belt testing, and done with my weight loss competition (I've lost 67 lbs since January), but I am without a goal to reach for now and this week is pressing in on me. Anyway, nothing deep or profound, for the few readers I do have, but this is, nonetheless, where I am today. I'm on my way home tomorrow, to be with family- not sure what that will be like, as things seem to be a bit tense there right now. Drama.
My brain is on overload right now, trying to process through the death of my uncle, our impending move, being a week behind at work from being in a training session all last week, and being EXHAUSTED from running my first half-marathon this weekend (finished in 3:13). I am relieved to be through my training, past my red belt testing, and done with my weight loss competition (I've lost 67 lbs since January), but I am without a goal to reach for now and this week is pressing in on me. Anyway, nothing deep or profound, for the few readers I do have, but this is, nonetheless, where I am today. I'm on my way home tomorrow, to be with family- not sure what that will be like, as things seem to be a bit tense there right now. Drama.
2.28.2008
UPDATES AND THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY
First of all, it's been a while, blah, blah, blah....so I am now a recommended brown belt, 3 more tests til black belt. I have gone from 399.6 to 354.4 lbs now, and am on track to be at 300 by the 1/2 marathon April 26. So that's that.
I started reading "Irresistable Revolution" by Shane Claiborne, and it has been messing with me. I'm up at 5 AM reading about Mother Teresa and work with homelss and lepers in Calcutta, and Shane talking about looking for an authentic Christian, just randomly calling Mother Teresa on the phone and doing a summer internship there......who does that? Later I'm driving to work, listening to a new song I'm learning for praise band at church, "Mighty to Save", and I'm sitting in my car, tears running down my face, listineing to the Hillsong folks sing "Shine your light and let the whole world see, for the glory of the risen King".....wow, I've just been struck with my own complacency today.....not only do I take God for granted by often not fully grasping the gravity of the words I sing to Him, but I have neglected the simple but difficult call to "shine my light", and go about my life trying to make a difference for the Kingdom, doing all I can to help those who have need to meet their need, and for those in need of a Savior to find Him. I'm lazy, and I find myself wanting to say, "you can't beat yourself up for not moving to Calcutta or something". Can't I? Shouldn't I?
Not that God has only one place to serve- Mother Teresa said that there were "Calcuttas" everywhere, wherever there was need. We have a whole world in need, and need even in our affluent little burg, and yet I find myself content to sing my songs of love and sacrifice, yet not only do I not sacrifice or love ACTIVELY, but often I don't even take the time to ask myself if I know or agree with what I'm singing. "My God is mighty to save". That's true. "He rose and conquered the grave". True. "Everyone needs compassion, love that's never failing". True.....so true. What am I doing about that? What are we doing about that?
First of all, it's been a while, blah, blah, blah....so I am now a recommended brown belt, 3 more tests til black belt. I have gone from 399.6 to 354.4 lbs now, and am on track to be at 300 by the 1/2 marathon April 26. So that's that.
I started reading "Irresistable Revolution" by Shane Claiborne, and it has been messing with me. I'm up at 5 AM reading about Mother Teresa and work with homelss and lepers in Calcutta, and Shane talking about looking for an authentic Christian, just randomly calling Mother Teresa on the phone and doing a summer internship there......who does that? Later I'm driving to work, listening to a new song I'm learning for praise band at church, "Mighty to Save", and I'm sitting in my car, tears running down my face, listineing to the Hillsong folks sing "Shine your light and let the whole world see, for the glory of the risen King".....wow, I've just been struck with my own complacency today.....not only do I take God for granted by often not fully grasping the gravity of the words I sing to Him, but I have neglected the simple but difficult call to "shine my light", and go about my life trying to make a difference for the Kingdom, doing all I can to help those who have need to meet their need, and for those in need of a Savior to find Him. I'm lazy, and I find myself wanting to say, "you can't beat yourself up for not moving to Calcutta or something". Can't I? Shouldn't I?
Not that God has only one place to serve- Mother Teresa said that there were "Calcuttas" everywhere, wherever there was need. We have a whole world in need, and need even in our affluent little burg, and yet I find myself content to sing my songs of love and sacrifice, yet not only do I not sacrifice or love ACTIVELY, but often I don't even take the time to ask myself if I know or agree with what I'm singing. "My God is mighty to save". That's true. "He rose and conquered the grave". True. "Everyone needs compassion, love that's never failing". True.....so true. What am I doing about that? What are we doing about that?
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