So, I’m not doing very well in the working out area of my life.  The six pack abs are coming slowly.  I haven’t really spoiled myself by eating double portions this week either.

I finished watching LOST last night. Speaking of LOST, are you? Like me?  Desmond finally found Penelope, but things just got weirder in last night’s episode.  Sometimes I’d rather wait until the full season DVD comes out so I can get some closure, but I don’t have the patience to wait, so I punish myself through weekly withdrawals while waiting for the next episode.

Ok, to the point.  So, we finished LOST and I went to my Now Playing Menu on our TiVo box.  I had forgotten that I had scheduled some downloads and hadn’t really been back to watch TV for about a week.  Our little TiVo guy has been getting busy with the workout plan.  He got me some workouts to watch from ExerciseTV. 

I couldn’t believe my eyes.  The first episode - ExerciseTV Six Pack Abs - Quick Abdominal Ball Workout.  I had to check this out.  The video features full workouts that can be done in our home.  I’ve never been one to really watch workout videos and join along, but some of these routines are actually pretty motivating.  The Abdominal Ball episode makes use of the stability ball.  Since we have one of those lying around somewhere in our home, I guess I now have no excuse. It’s time to get to work.

Never would I have thought that my TiVo was going to provide me with so much more than the convenience of watching my favorite shows at my chosen times.  Now, I’m left with the subtle urgings from this little guy to get my gut off the couch and onto the floor for some six pack designing as the TiVo guy says to me, "No Donut!".

“If you want to know how to get six pack abs, ask Arnold Schwarzenegger, don’t ask Al Bundy!”

I was once enlightened by a statement like this that was given to me from a good friend years ago. And so this statement remains true today. If you want to really accomplish getting those six pack abs, ask someone who has them and has been helping others to get them.

In my research for developing a weight loss fitness plan, I’ve recently come across Michael Geary - Author of “ The Truth About Six Pack Abs“.
Michael is the owner of TruthAboutAbs.com & Busy Man Fitness .com. His book is currently the #1 ranked Abdominals ebook in the world (as ranked by clickbank.com) with 10’s of thousands of customers in over 100 countries.

In his Bio, he states he is a “Platinum Expert Fitness Author by ezinearticles.com, and have had dozens of fitness articles published on over 1,000 fitness websites around the world. I’ve also been selected as a contributing author to the popular Muscle & Fitness Magazine.”

These are credentials I’m looking for in finding someone who can help me reach my goals of having six pack abs. He’s been in the game for quite some time and has alot of experience.

Mike’s program isn’t laced with non productive workout routines. He downplays taking pills. The secret to successful washboard stomachs is eating the right foods and exercising correctly. There is no magical formula. This is what I like best about Mike’s program. He approaches it with the truth - Work smart, eat right, and the results will come.

In his offer, he gives alot of extras too. Some which include Stability Ball exercises focused on abs and the core area, and Stair excercises. Both of which we have in our home.

If you’re serious about getting six pack abs, this is the program to get into. In my constant research into the fitness field, I know Mike knows his stuff. His information coincides with what I’ve been learning all along.

So the other day I was chatting with my Dad and he gave me the secret to losing weight. Unfortunately, he had been ill with the flu for a few days but he was feeling better by the time we were chatting.

The conversation went something like this:

Dad: Hey, one more thing, I have lost 6-7 pounds, found the secret to losing weight. Know what it is?
Me: No. Do tell.
Dad: Stop eating.
Me: Ha ha. Good one. True.
Dad: Of course we can’t do that forever. But I am now eating no more than a handful at an eating session and only one or two times per day.
Me: Good Job. I believe you’re on to the right formula.
Dad: I know you fast once a month. Try cutting down on the volume. Eat what you want, but very little. Walk away from the food in about 5 - 10 minutes. You’ll feel fine, hunger will go away. Try this, it will work, and you’ll lose weight guaranteed.

And there you have it. You now know the secret to losing weight. Who says Dad’s don’t know anything? My Dad does!

Actually, there is some truth to our conversation. I had a routine doctor visit about 2.5 years ago. The doctor said I have high cholesterol. His advice for me was to take some pills. I declined. “You need to become a grazer then”. He went on to explain precisely the conversation that my Dad and I just had. He told me to eat 5-6 times a day but very little in each session.

After giving this some thought, I realized that most of my excess weight has come as a result of eating double portions at each meal. I noticed that I’m always going for “2nds”.

My goal for this week is to cut back on my meal portion and not eat 2nds. This is a simple goal, but I’ll report back to make sure I’m keeping the commitment.

Why did I start this site?

I’m a person who is highly motivated, yet not real goal oriented at times. At least in the written sense. Mentally, I can put my mind to things and get them accomplished. However, I’m not highly motivated if there is no reason for me to buy in to the final outcome.

For some reason, weight loss has been one of those things that is on my mind, but it isn’t the highest priority. I work long hours each day. Most of them are spent sitting and in front of a computer screen. With the little time I have during “off” work hours, I want to relax and clear my mind while being with my family.

In addition to these things causing my weight loss dedication to be a lower priority, I am not “too” overweight. Not that bad. If you see me in person, I don’t look that much over weight. According to the BMI calculators I am Obese. I weigh 220 lbs. I’m 5′ 10″. According to the BMI tools, my ideal weight should be 185 lbs. Personally, I don’t think I’d have any skin on me if I weighed that little. But the hardest part is, I think, I haven’t hit rock bottom. Not that I want to. I just think that hitting rock bottom sometimes causes a powerful motivation for change. Most transformations are the result of something serious happening in one person’s life.

So, my goal is to get to 200 lbs. I need to lose 20 lbs. to get there. This also means I need to set and work toward the goal. I hate being so micromanaged. Counting calories, writing down every exercise, and watching every step I make turns me off in a big way. However, I’m realizing that if I’m ever going to reach my goal, I need to monitor that progress.

The reason I started this site is because I need something to “answer to”. Something to account to. For those interested in reading about my progress, I’m hoping that this will prove to be my motivation. I have other reasons for getting that six pack stomach. These reasons include my wife, my children, my own well being, energy (I want it back), and some negative things that I’m trying to get rid of about myself.

The journey has already begun. I’m going to reach my goal. To reach it, I know I’ll need to be more specific in writing out the details of the hows and whens, but for now, I’m considering it a victory in getting this site up to where I can write about it.

It’s true, that little victories make a difference in helping us to achieve our goals. When it comes to eating, I’ve developed a habit of accepting set backs. When I was younger, I was very active and rarely had any chocolates, candy, or otherwise. I’d eat cookies occasionally, but I was constantly active playing football, basketball, baseball, swimming, and skateboarding that I never had room for excess fat. Now that I’m older, it seems I’ve amplified my caloric intake with good and bad foods, and have minimized my activity.

Last night was a victory for me. After 2 bowls of brocolli and cheese soup (probably should have had only 1), I didn’t succomb to that temptous bowl of chocolate smothered ice cream. Instead, my wife brought me cottage cheese and I ATE IT. We only stayed up until Midnight and I didn’t get the munchies after the cottage cheese. Maybe I should start reaching for that instead, when I feel that hunger feeling coming on at night.

So, I’ll start with Tuesday for my exercise and eating habits. Remember, I’m not being retentive about this. Just writing from my recollection of some of the activities of my week. Hopefully after all the rambling, I’ll be able to make some sense and direction from all of it, moving forward.

Tuesday - I remember working out for the first time since last August. I did the elliptical machine for about 25 mins. I know that on Friday of last week, I ate normal, had ice cream with Reese’s chocolate hard coating on it at night. Stayed up pretty late and snacked on other candies and chips with friends.

Wednesday - Ate a breakfast bar and orange juice for breakfast. For lunch, ate an all you can enchilada plate. Had 2 plates. Translated: 4 enchiladas, 2 helpings of rice and beans. No dinner for the night. But ate more ice cream with Reese’s.

Thursday - Raisin Bran (2 bowls) breakfast. 2 hot dogs and some chips for lunch. Steak and Chicken with mashed potatoes for dinner at a friend’s home. Worked out earlier in the day for 25 minutes on the elliptical again. Ate some snack candy at night. Stayed up until 6a.m.

Friday - Slept 3 hours. Ate Cheese Omelet for breakfast. Had a Herschey’s chocolate bar. Peanut butter and Jelly for lunch. Going to be eating Brocolli and Cheese soup for dinner. And will likely stay up late again tonight with some snacks.

I know this doesn’t sound like I’m on track for my washboard abs. I’m already having my donut without my six pack. At least I don’t think it sounds like I’m on track.

I’m mainly writing this to get started on something. Eventually I’ll probably set some goals. But this is pretty much all I can do at the moment to provide me with some motivation to go forward.

I would like to start eating healthier. I’d also like to get on a better workout routine. My good wife is being consistent with her eating and working out. She’s doing much better than I am.

Soon, I’ll be posting some of the reasons I feel I need to get on track to being in better shape.

What do you think? Does being meticulous in our eating and workout tracking make for better success in reaching our health goals?

I’m DONE! Done looking at myself in disgust, seeing my belly buldge out past my wasteline. I’m done looking at the extra skin on my face. It’s over. The lack of energy I have must go away.

I declare war on the barriers that are holding me back. For the past few years, I’ve allowed myself to exceed my optimal weight level. According to the BMI calculators on the internet, I’m obese. I don’t feel obese. But I’m definitely overweight.

My name is Jon. I’m 36 years young. I’m 5′ 11 and I weigh 220 pounds. No pictures (yet). Just 8 years ago I was in shape, had much energy, and even had a six pack stomach. I felt good about my physical appearance.

Something changed over the years, however. I got married, had children, and worked at a desk job with odd hours. I attribute my weight gains to the job environment that I was in. I would work 10 hours per day sitting behind a computer. When I came home, I was exhausted and had no time for working out. Besides, I wanted to be with my children during the short stays at home. All this mixed with poor eating habits and I’m now living the life of most Americans. I’m on the path of death and destruction.

The doctor told me a couple of years ago that I have high cholesterol and he gave me two choices. Either eat healthier and work out or start taking pills. I chose the first. BUT… I never changed.

There are many reasons I’m starting this action. I will list it all in future posts. For now, I’m taking action for change and my way of doing this is to declare to the world that I’m starting today! All who come here will read the good, the bad, the ugly, and all the in betweens.

I’m not a scientific person. I don’t like meticulously tracking everything I eat and do. I will, however, make a routine habit of posting the events of my day and the things I’m eating (in generalities), because I do know that success comes from tracking.

Hopefully, all who come here will leave with more inspiration to achieve something of their own. I’m open to advice, and willing to receive help. I encourage all who come to post comments.

Today is the end for me. The end of being lazy about my goals. The beginning of achieving. It truly is NOW or NEVER!