I already am down to 195 lbs. I have modified my first goal. I will weigh 187 lbs. by February 22nd and I will be at 18% bodyfat!
Why did I choose 187 lbs.? That is what I weighed when I was 18 years old!
Why did I add/choose 18% bodyfat? That is the highest level that is considered “healthy” for a fit male.
Thus far, this is one of the best fasts that I have ever done. I have had no desire to eat and the feeling of solitude is really enjoyable.
Physically, I have lost 16 lbs. so far! Absolutely amazing!
I was first motivated to practice fasting as a regular discipline after reading Paul Bragg’s book The Miracle of Fasting in 1990. Although I had read several books on the spiritual benefits of fasting, I was never sufficiently motivated to actually fast on my own.
However, after reading that Bragg died as a result of a surfing accident at 95 years old and that Jack LaLanne credited him with turning his life around, combined with the spiritual benefits, I decided that I should follow (some, not all) his recommendations and started that year with a 10 day fast just like the one that I am on now.
God promises “with long life I will satisfy you”. (Psa. 91:16) Instead of listening to the latest fads in longevity research, I decided to follow two men who actually ‘lived’ until they died. The group Rascal Flatts said it best in a song: “I want to running when the sand runs out.”
I first listened to Zig Ziglar’s tape series “The Goals Program” in the early 80’s. Prior to that, I had not really learned about setting goals.
Zig advocated setting a goal in each of the seven areas that make up our lives (spiritual, mental, physical, financial, social, family and career). He contended that people that have only one goal generally aren’t successful in life. For example, if you achieve your financial goal of becoming ‘rich’ and end up losing your wife and children in divorce court, have you succeeded? What if you destroyed your health in order to earn that money? What if you get the money but end up in prison? Would you say that you succeeded?
With that in mind, I have set two physical goals in my Fitness for Old Farts program: I will weigh 195 lbs. and have a 32″ waist by February 22nd.
Zig says that if you are setting a ‘give up’ goal, you should tell everybody. Well, I made a bet with a bodybuilder at work to give my goal some ‘teeth’!
Tonight, I had my last meal for awhile. I have decided to start this year with a 10 day fast for both spiritual and physical reasons. I will drink water only for the first five days. During the second five days, I will eat oranges and drink honey/lemon water for energy.
I have found that it works best for me to start a fast like this on a Thursday. That way, I will enter the weekend feeling little to no hunger and therefore, there will be less temptation to ‘cheat’. Also, if I am incapacitated by severe headaches and extreme weakness, I can lay around the house and moan like a little baby in the privacy of my own home!
I found myself dissatisfied after my walk on Wednesday. I needed something more and…
I FOUND IT…
Heavyhands. These are those little dumbbells that people walk around holding.
After reading the book, I learned that you are actually supposed to be pumping them while you walk!
Well, I went and bought a starter pack yesterday and used them while walking one mile this morning. They are great! It demands more from your body than walking but less than running. Perfect!
I have decided to walk two miles three days and run two mile three days.
I felt so good while walking yesterday that I decided to RUN today. I actually made it without stopping! And I did it in less than 10 minutes per mile
I walked two miles this morning! Thank God for small victories.
I have been saying for years that once I finish rebuilding the house, I will rebuild my body for the second half of my life.Well, today I started.
I realize that I am much older than the last time I “got in shape.” So I started by walking one mile. It was hard on my ego, but that is where I am.
