Move Along. Nothing to See Here

I've heard from a few people who, for some odd reason, read my BlogBQ. I keep hearing that they're interested in reading more. The problem is, I really don't have anything new to report. Since my last post, I haven't really done a whole lot in the category of weight loss. I haven't joined Pure Fitness yet and I haven't really eaten that healthy.

On Wednesday night, the Scouts decided to do some fitness. The plan was to run 1 1/2 miles, then do some tricep and ab work. We're going canoing in a couple of weeks and one of the other Scout leaders decided that the boys really need some work in the fitness arena to be able to keep up with the canoing. Not a bad idea.

What followed was one of the most discouraging and embarrassing runs of my life. I used to be able to run a mile without breaking a sweat and run 3 miles or more nonstop. Not only could I not run the entire 1 1/2 miles, I couldn't run even 1/2 mile. It was embarrassing. The Scouts and other leaders started running in place to wait for me, but I told them to go on. Anyway, I've got a long way to go.

In my last post, I posted a link to MyPlate. After using it a little, I decided I didn't like the format of that website, so I went back to my old standby, FitDay. I'll publish my FitDay journal in a bit. Right now, Hannah is bugging me to take her to the movies.

Alright. Time to Get Around to It (what's a round toit?)

Shortly, I will be posting one of the ugliest pictures you will ever see. Me. Before I explain, a little background.

Growing up, I was a little guy. Not too tall. Not too big. That all changed when I turned 20. I remember vividly I weighed about 130 lbs in February 1996. By April 1996, I was 155 lbs. When I got married, the problem got worse.

See, like many people, when I turned 20, my active teenage lifestyle gave way to a more sedentary lifestyle. At the same time, my eating habits changed. It was much cheaper to eat crap than to eat fresh fruits and vegetables and whole wheat breads and pastas. It was like a perfect storm, only this time there was no ripped George Clooney and Marky Mark on the boat. Just Big Dave! Today, I'm at my heaviest. 242 lbs.

In my first post, I mentioned that I had originally set this BlogBQ to track my progress in regaining a healthy lifestyle and provide a place for friends and family to give me encouragement when I do well and h#ll when I don't.

Its not that I don't have plenty of motivation. I mean, look right. Those are two beautiful girls and I want to be a part of their life for a long time. I want to help them with their sports, to be there at their graduations, and witness their weddings. Most importantly, I want to provide a good example to them in thier lives of proper diet and exercise.

In addition, I'm supposed to be a leader to a bunch of 12-13 year old boys as their Scoutmaster. Part of the Scout Oath is to keep myself physically strong. Again, I need to provide an example to these boys. How can I expect them to live up to the teachings and standards of the Scout Oath and Law when I can't/won't do it myself. Couple that with the fact that I'm supposed to be leading a expedition to Philmont Scout Reservation next June. For those who don't know, Philmont is a Scout Ranch in the mountains of New Mexico. Our expedition will require 12 days of hiking in those mountains at elevations between 6,000 and 12,000 feet. Philmont has a weight maximum where they will not let you go if you are over it. I definately don't want to disappoint these boys by not being able to go. And, at my current fitness level, I would probably die somewhere up there and knowing these boys, they'd just leave me as bear food.

Finally, I want to do this for myself and my wife. While I'm not morbidly obese, I have become very prone to injuries and illnesses as well as poor mood and lack of energy. These things are affecting all aspects of my life: from work to my relationship with my wife.

So, its time. Its time to get back on the horse and get healthy again. I plan to join Pure Fitness down the street from my house as soon as I am financially able. I'm also going to develop healthy eating habits. To this end, I have set up an account at The Daily Plate(http://thedailyplate.com/users/profile/ASUDave01). I'll try to post what I eat during the day. I'll also keep you posted on my progress here with pictures.

I would encourage anyone who reads this BlogBQ, if you are not currently leading the healthiest lifestyle, take this opportunity to start. Set up a blog, or at the very least, post your Daily Plate Page. We can encourage each other. There are also some other great community sites that I will post in my links section.

Thanks for your help in this.

Happy Birthday, America!

Its hard to believe you are only 231 years old. You don't look a day over 230.

I love the 4th of July! Sure, its a day for BBQs, spending time with family, and trying to stay cool. But my favorite thing about Independence Day is what the holiday is all about. Celebrating America. Celebrating this God-blessed land of ours, with all her faults. Celebrating the freedoms we enjoy and those who have died, and continue to die, to protect those freedoms.

The signers of the Declaration of Independence knew that by signing the Declaration, they could be signing their death warrants. Yet they did it anyway. I firmly believe that these men, who were far from perfect, were inspired men. Whether they knew it or not. For what they signed and put into motion was the beginning of one of the greatest countries in the world. Through the years, millions of people from all over the world have sought her freedoms, protection, and aid.

For these reasons and more, I am proud to be an American! Is she perfect? Of course not. But as long as there are brave men and women who are ready to stand and fight to defend her and her citizens, as long as she stands ready at a moment's notice to send aid and comfort to those around the world who are starving, sick, or otherwise in need of help, I am proud to be an American.

God bless America!

PS I know this is 4 days late. So, sue me!