Full Circle

So here we are again.

Feels like Day 1 today.

I started juicing on August 9, 2011.  I did it for 20 days, lost a little over 20 lbs.
I stopped juicing on August 30, 2011.  There were a couple of reasons for stopping, but I knew that I'd want to get back to doing it.

I gained back 10 lbs, so I'm still down overall, but certainly not where I want to be.

Today is Monday September 26, 2011.

I want to juice for the next 10 days.

I'm going to try to keep track of the what, how, and updates, etc.


Thoughts:

1. Juicing is a good way to kickstart healthy eating, but is NOT a lifestyle (for me).
2. Don't give up.  It's a long road.  Takes time.  It's not easy, but it's worth doing.
3. Don't give up.

Day 23

Not sure what day this is on the re-programming, but I confess - I've fallen off the wagon.  I have not posted anything on the blog in the past 3 weeks.  A part of it was due to Lee's passing.  A part to the new semester beginning.  But mainly it was just my poor choices.  Poor choices rooted in laziness


Thoughts:

1. I have chosen not to juice, eat well, or exercise in the past 20 days.
2. According to the scale, I'm now only down 10 lbs.  Which means I gained back about 12 lbs in the past 3 weeks.  Incredible.
3. I feel like I'm starting over.
4. Discouraged, but not dismayed.
5. Back on the bus.

Day 22

Back on the healthy eating track. Still have not started any regular exercise regimen.  I think I would like to stick to walking or jogging to start.  And then move into some sort of activity or contact sport (basketball, volleyball, etc.)  But my gimpy ankle still feels gimpish.  We'll see how things progress in the next few weeks.


Thoughts:

1. Write down funny and unique memories with Lee Steen to send to his wife Lauren.
2. So far I'm down 22 lbs!  It's incredible that this juicing/micro nutrient diet has netted about one lb/day for the last 3 weeks.
3. Still stuck on 20 pushups.  I feel that I may be able to do one or two more, but don't want to "push" it.

Day 21

Storm Clouds

I feel like I'm still in a state of shock.  Not really paying attention to what I am eating, exercising, etc.  Still can't believe that Lee Steen is gone.


Thoughts:

1. Pray for Lee's family.
2. Pray for my family.
3. Live everyday as if it was a gift from God.

Day 20 - Sadness

Lee and Kaylee Steen

Last night I found out that my dear, dear friend Lee Steen passed away.  I was in a state of shock last night.  Still am today.  He was one of the most intelligent and kind-hearted people I knew.  Lee was always good for a laugh, to go out for some wings, and always had a story or some project that he was excited about.  He and his wife were recently blessed to have a beautiful baby girl.  He was only 28 years old.  Makes no sense.  He is survived by his wife Lauren, and daughter Kaylee.


I thank God that I was able to call Lee my friend.


Thoughts:

1. Life is too short to take anything for granted.
2. Tell your spouse, significant other, children, and/or parents that you love them.
3. I want to be a better husband, father, and friend.

Day 18 & 19

No, I don't think I'd ever become a Vegan, but it is an interesting way to seek out daily nutrition.  Essentially, I feel like I've been living a "vegan" lifestyle.  Mostly fruits and vegetables.  Some seeds and nuts.  No animal products.  Now as I understand, Vegans don't use any animal products like leather for shoes, clothes, etc.  Seems a bit extreme.

Not a vegan, but sticking with only eating micro nutrients. 


Thoughts:

1. I admire how vegans are able to get their daily nutrition needs, but could never imagine being one for long term.  It would be like Be a Vegan Day.  And then I'd eat a big steak while wearing a leather jacket.
2. Down 18 lbs
3. Still stuck at 20 push-ups.  They are no joke.  I can't ever see getting up to 50, but we'll see.

Day 17

You ever feel like you're in Bizarro World?  It was this "bizarre" alternate universe in the Superman comic book series.  Where everything around you is the opposite of what you're used to.  But reading this Bizarro World Code or manifesto, makes me think I could live there.  What exactly is "big crime to make anything perfect?"  I don't know, but I'd want to visit just to see it.

Speaking of Bizarro World, at Walsh University, today was Opening Day and while it was really good to be there and see everybody, I can't believe the summer is over.  Yeah, I know, wah wah.  Poor baby, have to go back to work after the summer.  Truth is, I still worked almost everyday this summer, but that's beside the point. 

Here is the point.

I love sausage.  Anyone who knows me, knows I love sausage.  Sweet, Hot, Pork, Polish, Italian, Smoked, whatever.  And at this picnic there was sausage.  Lots of it.  And even though I've been on this body re-programming for 17 days, those old cravings are still there.

I did not eat any.  But boy did I feel like I was in Bizarro World.  I know it's not good for me, but I want to eat it.