I guess I’ve been talked about enough on this site. It’s about time I did some of the talking. I am Lorra, mother of 4 beautiful children and wife to a wonderful husband.

I have recently begun my own journey towards a body in good health and lean definition. For the past 8 years I have experienced 4 pregnancies (one every 2 years). I wouldn’t trade them for the world but boy did they do a number on my once young, thin, carefree body.

It’s true what Jonathan said about not having much motivation before with my body blowing up and deflating (like one of those air mattresses) during pregnancy. Although, have you ever noticed the deflating doesn’t happen quite as fast and the mattress never fits back into the package as neatly as it did before you started? So, what’s the point, right? I kept thinking, “I’m just going to get huge again.”

Ladies, I know you know what I’m talking about - the discouragement of having no choice but to gain a ton of weight in such a little amount of time only to be left with a lot of work to take it back off.

Well, as Jon said, after our 4^th child (having a 6 yr. old, 4 yr. old, 2 yr. old, and newborn) I decided it’s probably best for my family if we stop here so mommy doesn’t go INSANE. Along with that decision was a new found desire to get into really good shape. In my next post, I will share with you my journey up until now.

I’m not real big on Doctors. I mean, I really like them, but I’m not too confident in them sometimes when it comes to proper diagnosis.  I have friends and family members who have all been told one thing and then given a subscription for a pill that is supposed to help them.  I’m sure the doctors mean well, but with today’s fast paced society, and with a doctors jam packed schedule, I feel they sometimes miss a proper diagnosis and prescribing a pill is the outcome.

Two weeks ago, I had a physical.  The doctor told me I need to lower my cholesterol and fat intake.  He said, do it, get tested again in six months, and if I’m better then great, but if not, he’ll give me a pill.

That’s all fine and dandy, I wouldn’t really heed that warning except for try to eat better.  However, about 3 years ago, I was told the same thing from a different doctor.  That’s not good news.  What’s even more shocking to me is that after 3 years, I’ve apparently shown myself that I’m not willing to change in this area.

This is where Lorra comes in.  Lorra does most of the meal preparations around our home.  Occasionally, I’ll cook a very cheesy egg omlet wrapped inside a grilled tortilla and smother it with chili.  (See where it’s coming from). Or sometimes I’ll cook some burgers on the grill outside.  But for the most part, Lorra takes care of us throughout each week.

Lorra has been very consistent in her workouts in the gym.  She has made some friends there and is on a workout schedule.  She’s even bringing home Muscle Milk and got us some other supplements.  She’s living the life that I’ve been wanting to live for so long now, yet, I’m not taking the time to do it myself.  I’m excited that she has kicked in with a spark on this.  She has had four children and even though she’s always look great to me after having each child, she is now looking even more fantastic.  What’s important here is that she is feeling fantastic.  We knew we were going to have more children and in Lorra’s mind, she was always fighting the battle of a changing body due to pregnancies.  It was difficult for her to get excited about working out because her body was always so far out of balance.  Lorra has decided that we are stopping here with our 4th child - and I’m following her lead.

Back to the topic…

Not only has Lorra developed a great workout routine, she has also been studying nutrition.  Now we’re eating healthier.  With the news from my second doctor about lowering my cholesterol and fat intake, I’m confident in getting the added support from my wife that I can change my diet to hopefully get me off the "pill" radar.

In addition… I’m happy to introduce Lorra to you.  She has taken interest in this site and will be sharing her ideas with us now too.

Six Pack Abs is the goal.  But where are they?  I don’t have them yet.  Actually, I do!  But where?  I can tell you where.  My Six Pack Abs are hiding underneath the extra ice cream and chocolates I’ve been putting away.  I have a serious weakness for things like sweets. 

THE BALANCE …

… is off right now. I’m doing well at other areas of my life, but keeping that routine of exercising often, well… not so well.

My wife, however, is doing extremely well.  She is defining her Six pack.  She has been faithfully going to the gym about 4 - 5 times per week.  She is eating better also.  What’s changed?

Here are a few things that I can identify:

1. Determination - she is determined to reach her goals.  This determination is giving her motivation.  It must be the most important factor in keeping her going.  However, I think there is another factor that works very well.

2. Workout Buddies - my wife has found some friends at the gym. Together, they’ve developed a workout plan.  They see eachother everytime they go.  Truly, together, they are doing more than they can do alone.

3. Trainer - another factor in my wife’s successes, is that she has found somebody that is taking the time to help her set goals and develop eating and exercise plans to obtain those goals.

One thing for sure… my wife is on a speeding bullet, racing to the finish line.  She’s achieving her goals much faster and better than I am.  I’m ok with this right now, obviously.  One of the reasons is because I’m off balance, paying more attention and dedication to a different area of my life.  The key is to MAKE TIME. 

Coming next, I’ll post some stomach exercises that my wife has recently obtained and is implementing now.

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!