Bobby's Shape Up Showdown

Month of May

This month has been good so far. Looking forward to this week check up as the shape up show down is coming to a close in June. Hopefully my blood work numbers are maintaining to allow me to stay off medication.

Update from May 5th check up

I initially became frustrated after my weigh in, I had gained 3 lbs from my last visit. So needless to say, the weight loss/gain was at the forefront of my mind as I prepared to see the Doctor and nutritionist. Then came the visit. I lost 2 more inches in my waist, my blood pressure was in the normal range (after being taken off one of the BP meds at the last visit), my potassium levels were normal, my good cholesterol came up 2 points and my bad cholesterol had dropped significantly into the 80’s and my triglycerides were in the normal range. So I am now only taking one medication for my BP and discontinued all other meds at this time. I will have blood work again in a month to see if I and stay off the meds. YES…..In Jan, I was taking 6-7 medications and now only one….I hope to keep it at one (or none). Besides the obvious health issue, the financial impact is big….my cholesterol medication was costing approx 157 dollars a month, along with the other meds, I was spending around 200 a month. The one BP I am taking now only cost about 4-5 dollars a month. I would like to stop it also, but I know some of my issues are DNA related. However, the goal has always been to improve my health and minimize my medications. This is being done. Everything is looking good at this point. I spoke with my trainer also about the weight gain at yesterday’s workout. He tested my body fat percentage and I am down approx 4-5 percent from last time. He advised I am losing body fat and gaining muscle. Hard to believe at my age that I can gain muscle. So I will not pay as much attention to the scales and focus on the tape measure and blood work. Until the next time…..

This week

Was supposed to be at work out on Monday. Had to change it to Wednesday because I rode my motorcycle to Russellville, Ark to trade it in for another motorcycle. I went thru Memphis, Tn to get there. I left Easter Morning and rode back the next day. Over 1000 miles in 2 days. If I had attempted that type of a ride prior to starting this process to get healthy, I could not have made it. I purchased a 2008 Honda ST1300. On Wednesday I attended a workout with my trainer (Donald) called “Body Pump”. OMG, my legs are still hurting. I tried doing my cardio today and unable due to muscles tightness. Today basically consisted of stretching. Just when I think my body conditioning is getting better, it gets a shock----back to soreness. Oh well, more to do…..Until next time….

4-7-2011

Check up today. Down 7 lbs from last month visit. Blood pressure is still good since being taken off one of BP meds. Will half cholesterol pill over this next 4 week period and get more lab work to determine if I can continue at lower dosage. Overall good check up.

3-31-2011

Missed all last week workouts with Donald (my trainer) due to being out of town for K9 Certifications. (My new partner, K9 Omega, is now certified) I did do my workouts when I returned home each night. Starting to drop a few pounds again since my workout has changed. Donald has me doing more cardio type exercises, super setting 4 exercises back to back with 15 second breaks. I even “jumped rope” for the first time in my life. LOL. And for someone my age, it isn’t easy. We have our group meeting tonight, looking forward to seeing everyone.

3-3-11

Today was a good day. Celebrated my 27th Anniversary being married to the GREATEST Woman I know. Also had check up with Doctor and Nutritionist today. I have gained some weight back from the last check up. Even with the weight gain, my waist line is still at 39 inches. I had already discussed with my trainer, Donald. He told me not to worry about it. He advised my first couple weeks were more conditioning (due to how out of shape I was) and the last several weeks have been building up muscle. My wife agrees, she said she has seen muscles on me that she hasn’t seen in years. Donald has introduced me to what he calls “The 300 Workout”. I am totally exhausted after it is over, but it is a great feeling when I complete it. My resting heart rate was 58 today (use to be in high 70’s, sometimes low 80’s) and my blood pressure was 120/62 (use to be 140/96). So the Doctor told me I can start backing off on one of the BP meds I am on (I have been on 2 meds for BP for several years) and continue to monitor my BP to make sure it does not spike too high. I also had blood work to check and see how my potassium, cholesterol and triglycerides are since the changes I have made. I need to not pay as much attention to the scale and pay more attention to the tape measure, how my clothes fit, my heart rate, blood pressure and how I feel physically. Oh and in case anyone was curious, our anniversary gift to each other was an elliptical machine for the house. My wife – the practical woman…..

2-19-2011

Today was the “Race for the Cure” at LSU. It was good speaking with everyone (Cher, Brittany, Michelle, Nikki, Jerome, David and Felisha) that attended (we missed you Brett). Getting to hear everyone having the same struggles I am experiencing was comforting to know I am not off base. I have not lost any more weight since last Thursday’s weigh in. I have been a little frustrated about that since I have increased my weights in workouts. My calorie intake is less than 1900. And after dropping 19 lbs. between weigh ins, to drop none in a week, well it was depressing. After speaking with all the participants and Bob (last year participant) today, it’s all going to be good in the long run. Just hit a plateau and I’ll work through it. It was also good to talk with Brittany and David to compare notes on our trainer, Donald. It’s not just me he “pushes”, he’s brutal to them as well. (We do appreciate you Donald, in a love/hate kind of way). Nikki don’t forget to post the recipe on the coke chicken you were telling us about. Bobby

Feb. 10, 2011

I would love to encourage everyone by saying that it has been easy and anyone can do it, etc., etc. etc. But I would be lying. It has been tough and physically exhausting. I’ve had to work through the first week of throwing up after workouts and other nasty things as my body has transitioned. It has not been easy regaining my health. My wife has been extremely helpful assisting with my nutritional needs. Without that type of support I would have faltered by now. But through all of this, I see the benefits. Just had my first official weigh in, I am down 19 lbs and have gone from a 44 inch waist to a 39 inch waist. I remember telling my kids as they grew up that is was easier to “keep up than catch up” when it came to their class projects. Well I am applying that to my health now. I had a couple years that were somewhat out of my control to a certain extent. But I cannot use that as an excuse. I am the one that fed my face continually while I was unable to exercise, no one force fed me. I am responsible for letting my health go downhill. Now with WAFB’s help, OLOL and BREC I am gaining the tools necessary to “keep up, once I catch up”.

1-29-2011

Finished 1st week of workouts. Overall it was a physically painful week. But it will get better. Found out today my son in military was deployed overseas. It has been a depressing day and fighting the urge for comfort food. Keep my daughter-in-law, my wife and my son in your prayers.

1-24-2011

Had my first workout with Donald (my trainer) today. OMGoodness, my endurance is pitiful. My body was starving for oxygen, lactic acid was kicking my rear. And Donald was great at pushing me without abusing me. Started with cardio on bike, stretching, chest/triceps, core and more stretching. After the first set of stretching I was searching for oxygen. Got light headed a few times and had some pain in my left hip. Donald altered one of the exercises that gave the most pain in my hip so we could work the body part. Pain is good, lets me know I am still alive. It will get better in the future, got to stay committed for my longevity. Bobby G.