With my one year commitment winding down the truth is I feel like I am just getting started! Remembering what it felt like to weigh 365 pounds and considering how I feel now there (more…)

I finally feel that I am making some progress. Breaking the 290 pound mark has been the most satisfying achievement in my long effort to lose weight! I don’t know why but it seemed that no matter how hard I tried I could not get past the 295 pound mark. I know it is not much but every (more…)

One step at a time. One lift at a time. One meal at a time. One day at a time. This is all I think about. I am trying new things all the (more…)

I am still going for it, one day at a time! I was told that my blood pressure was high (140 over 90) which was one of the things that motivated me to start trying to get healthier. This week I took a trip to the doctor to check my blood pressure and see how it is rating with the weight loss progress that I have made so far. To my surprise it was (more…)

It took me 47 years to get to 365 pounds and I do not expect to drop it over night. I am continuing to (more…)

While struggling through the holidays with defeat after defeat (pumpkin pie, brownies, cookies, Dark meat turkey, gravy, etc), I dedicated myself to running (more…)

Things are going good! It has been a challenge (Thanksgiving) and going into the holidays does have me a little concerned. It is also seeming a lot harder to (more…)

Rod has not worked out consistently for almost three weeks due in-part to a sickness and the storm (Noel). He had been in bed with the flu and bronchitis. As scheduled, he reluctantly got on the scale and, as suspected, he had gained 5 pounds since the last weigh-in.  Rod is feeling better now, thank the Lord, and recommitted to working hard with a goal of losing 5-10 pounds a month.

“Still eight months to go…and I am not giving up!”
– Rod

Please keep Rod in your prayers as he is struggling to get his children to school due to a vehicle break-down. If you would like to help Rod out with the biggest loser program please read the original post. If you would like to help Rod fund a new vehicle please contact us.

Weigh-in Update:

Weigh-in #5 (November 4, 2007): 302 pounds
Weigh-in #4 (October 4, 2007): 297 pounds
Weigh-in #3 (September 4, 2007): 311 pounds
Weigh-in #2 (August 4, 2007): 325 pounds
Weigh-in #1 (July 4, 2007): 342 pounds

Next weigh-in December 4, 2007.

I am so grateful to everyone for all the support and prayers. I really feel like I am not in this alone. I have been in the states for a bit now, both for the T.E.A.R.S. Board meeting and to visit some churches. Boy has it been a challenge! As soon as I got of the plane in Miami, Florida my senses were bombarded by hundreds of smells, signs and colors telling me to come try the food, desserts, coffee and snacks! It seemed as if my cravings went into hyper-drive! Everything looked so good and smelled so wonderful. I was sure that they piped the smells into the walkways just to get to me! So, I found a little place that had salads and ordered a small Cesar along with a bottle of water. The total cost was $13.95, wow! I could have purchased two Whopper deals for that much at Burger King! It seems as if this whole trip has been like that for me. There are so many great restaurants and junk food places (like Cinnabon, an old favorite of mine) lurking around every turn.

All said and done I realized I would rather feel good than give in to the pressure of bad habits. So, I am still drinking tons of water, and it helps a lot. I have increased my run/walk from two miles a day to three! I have allowed myself an occasional treat but that means extra sit-ups before bed. I am now down below 300 lbs. As of October 4, 2007 I officially weigh 297lbs. It has been years since I have been under 300lbs and it feels great!! Thanks again for your prayers and encouragement.

The Biggest Loser,
Rod

Weigh-in Update (a total loss of 45 pounds in 3 months!):

Weigh-in #4 (October 4, 2007): 297 pounds
Weigh-in #3 (September 4, 2007): 311 pounds
Weigh-in #2 (August 4, 2007): 325 pounds
Weigh-in #1 (July 4, 2007): 342 pounds

Next weigh-in November 4, 2007.

Rod is still going strong in his “Biggest Loser” program. We are proud to announce, through this program, Rod has lost another 14 pounds! That puts his total lost at 31 pounds! Rod would love continued encouragement and for you to prayerfully consider pledging in order to help him achieve his goals of losing weight and supporting his family financially. Learn more about supporting Rod with “The Biggest Loser.”

Weigh-in #3 (September 4, 2007): 311 pounds
Weigh-in #2 (August 4, 2007): 325 pounds
Weigh-in #1 (July 4, 2007): 342 pounds

Next weigh-in October 4, 2007.

Rod has the following message to share regarding his program:
Let me start by saying how grateful I am for all of the support and prayers.
I feel great! It’s a real challenge to say no in this “eat together, all the time, relational society”, or even to myself. This is especially true, since saying “no” has never been my strong point. I am realizing lately that the benefits definitely outweigh the challenges. I feel sharper mentally, physically and spiritually. I am thrilled to have gone from a 54-inch waist down to a 46-inch in my pants size and from 5x shirts size to a 3x! Overall, I have more energy and feel more effective in whatever I am doing.

A Day in the Life of “The Biggest Loser”

I am usually in bed by 11:00PM and up by 5:30AM for prayer and my morning walk. I make it back by 7:00AM to shower and have fruit, yogurt and 32oz of water for breakfast. At 7:20AM I am off to Santiago to take the kids to school. I will usually finish my 32oz carry around water bottle (second one for the day) before I get back to the office. I am in the office from 9:00AM to 12:00 (noon) in which time I will knock-off one more 32oz bottle of water then home for a light, low-carbohydrate lunch and chat with Twila.

When siesta time is over around 2:00PM I am off to Santiago again to pick up the kids in which time I have another 32oz of water. I return home by 4:00PM and I have visitation time (with my Dominican friends) until 6:00PM and then a semi lo-carb dinner with 32oz of water. From 7:00PM until 9:00PM, while the kids are doing homework I try to catch up on various work projects while have another delicious 32oz of water! After I am finished and the kids get ready for bed I will pour myself a yummy 32oz big mug of water and put my feet up to while I catch the evening news or read a good book.

Before I brush my teeth and get ready to go to bed I treat myself to a delectable granola bar or a mouth-watering piece of fruit and a 32oz jug of water and then hit the sack. Then I get up to GO TO THE BATHROOM and back to bed to pray myself to sleep. Mommy always said to drink lots of water. If she were here she would be proud of me!

In His grace,
Rod