The Florida Trip In Review

We Ate!




Rachel learned to drive! :(



Jenna sought help to be released from the evil puppy!

Not quite the man I used to be...

After 10 days away from home and the comfort of my normal exercise/diet routine, I got back home on Saturday --- not looking forwared to greeting my trusty digital scale! After all, I ate most everything I wanted while on vacation with only a hint of self-control, mostly after my encounter with the 75 year old track star grandmother.

Evidentally the morning runs and constant walking associated with being at Disney went a long way towards burning off the extra calroies I consumed. I got back home Saturday, jumped on the scale, and to my pleasant surprise I neither gained nor lost any weight! That was a huge accomplishment given the temptations and lack of self-control I had at times on our trip.

3 Days later, a really intense workout or two later (I can certainly tell a big difference in my stamina and running speed after Florida), and back to the comforts of my normal diet plan, I've lost 4lbs. That brings my grand total weight loss to 72.5 lbs. - now just 62.5 lbs. from my ultimate goal of 200 lbs.

When I first began this journey, I thought 135 lbs. was an impossible mountain to climb -- however, I'm reminded by Phillipians 4:13 that "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me!"

The Old Grey Mare...

I suppose it is just another day. After all, it seems like any other day - I'm stuck in a conference center room listening to a lecture on Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards auditing techniques. Even better, tonight I get the "pleasure" of taking the family to Disney's Animal Kingdom (never been there before) and smell animal droppings.

Maybe its the fact I'm now on day 10 of being away from home or maybe its a proportional dose of being a scrooge that comes with another year of life experience (today is my 33rd birthday)...whatever the reason, it really does feel like a normal day. I feel older, but thankfully in better shape and much lighter than this time last year. Hey, I even passed up granny today on my morning run and maintained the lead throughout... All-in-all, I look forward to another year - one that brings greater accomplishments in my personal health, spiritual growth, and further enjoying my family.

High Quality Bait, Err Sushi

Kimonos, located inside the Disney Swan Resort Hotel (Kimonos Information), has excellent sushi. The atmosphere is very pleasing, service is great, and the fish is top quality. I could have eaten the entire boat (see picture above) myself. MMMmmm...here's to top notch Sushi bars!

...and miles to go before I sleep!

This morning I gained a new motivation in my pursuit of a healthier lifestyle. Over the past few months I've worked hard to lose weight, eat healthier, and exercise regularly. So, as usual, I got up early to begin my day with exercise and a light breakfast. The hotel (Disney Swan and Dolphin Resort) that I'm staying at is situated near Disney's EPCOT and Hollywood Studio theme parks, in addition to the Disney Boardwalk and several other Disney Resorts. All of these properties are connected by a very nice and wide walkway - landscaped to the 9's - and very well maintained.

Having so many different walkways, I tried a new route today that lead me along the waterway behind the Disney Boardwalk towards Hollywood Studios. Walking briskly, I approached the park and suddenly knew someone was about to pass me jogging - so I moved over. Suddenly, I realized that, despite my progress in exercise, I still have a long way to go....

I was being passed by a jogging grandmother who had to be 75 years old. To make matters worse, I decided that if she can jog at her age like that, surely I can keep up with her. So, for the next 2 miles, I ran as hard as I could to catch her, walk a little to catch my breath, run again to catch up, and then gasp for breath for a minute or two. At one point I actually passed her and gave myself a comfortable lead - for which moments later she GRACEFULLY passed me and kept gaining separation.

So, like one of my favorite poems suggests, I have miles to go before I sleep....

GO GO GRANNY!

Dining at Disney

Yesterday, while I was in class, the girls went to Disney's Magic Kingdom for the day. After class was finished, I hoped on the bus from our hotel and headed over to spend a little time with them in the park. Aside from spending time with them and watching them laugh and be excited about various activities, the highlight of my evening was a turkey leg. A SMOKED TURKEY LEG! That took two hands to hold...

It was extremely good! I hope I get another before our trip is over!

The Mouse Tax - With An Economic Stimulus Package

Often times I've heard people refer to their trip to Disney World as having to pay "the mouse tax." Having two small children, both girls, I know the love they have of the Disney princesses and all the other characters. In the past, I have considered Disney as an option for vacation and always decided that it is just too expensive. The ticket prices are through the roof and food is outrageous. To further complicate the scenario, I can't think of ANYTHING I'd love to do LESS than walk around a theme park with screaming kids in 90 degree weather for miles upon miles - AND have to pay close to $100 for the PLEASURE.

I know, this is where the wife calls me scrooge or some other loving adjective...

So, when my employer decided to send me to a training course in Orlando at the Disney Swan and Dolphin resort, originally, I wasn't too excited. Nevertheless, I knew I had to take one for the team and take the family along. After all, what kind of dad would I be if I could take my girls to Disney, and, have most of the cost picked up by my employer (hotel, transportation, and my meals)?

As I mentioned in a recent post, I've been really working hard over the past three months to lose weight. Having exercised a considerable amount as part of this effort, I'm anxious now to see how well I can handle the endless walking.

I arrived mid afternoon today and got settled into my room - the girls are coming tomorrow so the oldest doesn't miss too much school. To my own surprise, I decided to take a walk and find the exercise room. After a 4 mile walk and a small workout, I'm actually excited about being here and spending time with my family (when I'm not in my class - ;) and enjoying Disney through their eyes versus thinking WHEN ARE WE JUST GONNA SIT DOWN - ENOUGH ALREADY.

Its sad to think how many memories I may have spoiled or never made because I was too overweight or tired to get out there with my girls and just have fun.

So, while it took an economic stimulus package from my employer to get me here, I am looking forward to paying the mouse tax and making some new lasting memories with my girls.

WAIT! Don't Hesitate!

This morning as I was walking on the Treadmill, I had a revelation. The Bible states that "They that WAIT upon the Lord shall renew their strength..." The part that we often miss is that once he says GO, we are not supposed to hesitate. Obedience requires immediate action, no second guessing...

With that in mind, I saw on WBIR (local Knoxville news station) last night that my beloved BBQ joint (Bread of Heaven) has reopened for business. I've WAITED nearly three months for them to reopen...and...today, I will not HESITATE to renew my love of their BBQ chicken and greens.

See the report at the following URL:

Bread of Heaven Video on WBIR

P.S. - This apology goes out to my treadmill for what I am about to require of you to compensate for my trip to BBQ Heaven!

Going...Going...GONE!

As one can easily see, the frequency in which I have taken time to blog over the past few months has dwindled to almost nothing. You see back in December I had the old annual physical. A physical, you know, where the doctor says you need more exercise, you need to eat a better diet, blah, blah, blah...

When the nurse weighed me I was horrified with the number she wrote down - in fact I think I got whiplash double checking to make sure my eyes hadn't suddenly failed me... Sad to say, I was at my all time highest weight of 335lbs. Being 6'2", I hide the weight pretty well as most people wouldn't beleive I weight THAT much. Nevertheless, it is true.

To top it off, the nurse called me at home the next day to say that based on my blood work, the doctor wanted to start me on medication as I'm showing the beginning signs of being diebetic. Having a long family history of hypertention and diabeties, I knew I didn't want that to deal with.

In January I made a committment to myself and my wife and kids to change. I began dieting and exercising. In February I purchased a treadmill and added both a morning and evening walk to my schedule. At the end of March I joined the exercise facility at my place of employment...

Today, April 8, 2008 - a little over 3 months from the beginning - I can say GONE to 60lbs.

Thats right I weighed 274.5lbs. at this morning's weigh in! 60lbs. Thats more that my 6 year old weighs, heavier than a bag of concrete mix, thats more than 7 gallon jugs of milk (a gallon of milk weight 8.5lbs.). No wonder I have so much more energy.

So, if you need an execuse for my lack of posting or question my committment, just suffice it to say that I'm prolly on the treadmill or at the gym working more of this insane weight off. My goal is to be down to 260lbs. when I go back to my doctor at the end of May. The ultimate goal is to be down to around 200lbs.

Being a Berean - The Importance

ACTS 17:11 Calls those from Berea a more noble people for they received the word of God AND searched the scriptures to verify the truth of what they were taught. Today, more than ever, we need to adopt that principle in our daily lives. I taught a Sunday School class this weekend using the following scriptures/points. I also showed the video below to demonstrate the perverted teachings and beliefs that modern culture presents. My friends, the end times are upon us...

WHY IS STUDYING GOD’S WORD SO IMPORTANT?

(Matthew 24:11; Matthew 24:24; 2 Peter 2:1)

- These scriptures warn that false teachings will work to lead us away from God.
- Aside from false teachings, we also must guard ourselves from false preachers/teachers/apostles.

(2 Corinthians 11:4,13; Galatians 1:6-9)

- The teaching that circumcision and keeping the Law are necessary for salvation is condemned (Gal. 5:2-4; Phil. 3:2).
- On the other side, teaching that liberty in Christ gives us excuse for licentiousness is also condemned (Jude 4).
- The denial of Jesus Christ's coming in the flesh is regarded as from the spirit of antichrist (1 John 4:1-6).
- There are warnings about people who cause dissensions by teaching doctrine directly opposed to what Christians already know to be true (Rom. 16:17; Tit. 3:10-11).
- There are warnings about those who claim to love God but do not love God's people (1 John 4:20; 5:1), and who deliberately break away from the church on the basis of perverted doctrine (1 John 2:19).
- Finally, there are warnings against adding to or taking away from the words of prophetic Scripture (Rev. 22:18-19) or twisting the Scriptures (2 Pet. 3:16).

Looking over these warnings from Scripture, we may classify heresies into six major categories:

1. Heresies about revelation — teachings that distort, deny, or add to Scripture in a way that leads people to destruction; false claims to apostolic or prophetic authority.
2. Heresies about God — teachings that promote false gods or idolatrous distortions of the true God.
3. Heresies about Christ — denials of His unique Lordship, His genuine humanity, His true identity.
4. Heresies about salvation — teaching legalism or licentiousness; denying the gospel of Christ's death and resurrection; and so forth.
5. Heresies about the church — deliberate attempts to lead people away from the fellowship of true Christians; utter rejection of the church.
6. Heresies about the future — false predictions for which divine authority is claimed; claims that Christ's return has taken place; and the like.

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