Priceless!

I took my kids to Six Flags over Georgia yesterday. It sounds funny, but one of the things I’ve really looked forward to about losing weight is being able to fit more comfortably (or at all!) into amusement park rides.

It’s embarrassing to hold up a roller coaster in the station because the coaster crew has to give you a little extra due diligence to make sure you’re securely fastened in.  They have these demo seats outside amusement rides anymore that allow riders to make sure they “fit” before getting into line. During my last few trips to parks, I’ve had to try them out.  Not this time.

And my last couple trips to Six Flags, I haven’t even tried to get onto the kiddie coaster. This time I did, and it was wonderful!

1. Losing 54 lbs in 6-1/2 months = ARDUOUS

2. Trimming down = REWARDING

3. Being able to fit in the kiddie coaster to ride with my two youngest kids yesterday = PRICELESS!!!

Beyond the Point of Caring

Fats & Figures
One day in December, before I started TS2012!, I saw a guy who must have weighed 400 pounds getting into the passenger seat of a smallish car. I forced myself to watch.

Climbing into my ’97 Camry had gotten difficult when I was at my high of 313 pounds. Fastening my seat belt took more work than it should, and occasionally my efforts to fasten it would pop my seatback out of place.

So I had to watch this guy. I still don’t know how, but he squeezed in there. He had to hold his pants up with one hand and hold onto the door frame with the other, but he did it.

This weekend, I saw a woman trying to climb into a minivan. She literally had no ankles. Her legs were huge. She was huge.

And at a baseball game this weekend, I saw a severely obese couple making their way down the aisle steps stuffing mountain waffle-coned ice cream into their mouths.

It’s sad because I’ve been there. I only pray I never get back there. Back beyond the point of caring.

Plane Old Me
On my return flight from California a couple weeks back, the guy pictured to the left was a couple rows ahead of me. Now, you can never quite step outside of yourself to see how you really look from the outside, but with similar complexion, hair, and clothing, I could totally picture this being me at my largest; Crammed into a coach airline seat next to some poor soul half my size. What’s worse, when he stood up after the flight, his pants dropped to shine a nearly “full moon”.

Chairman of the Floor
I say this not make fun; I see myself in these people.  When I was in China auditing a factory 18 months ago, I sat back in a conference room chair during discussion, and the chair legs collapsed. The back of my head struck a shelf behind me when I fell, but my pride was what really hurt. How do you “play that one off”?

It reminded me of several scenes in the movie Shallow Hal, when Hal is so infatuated by Gwyneth Paltrow’s character that he totally doesn’t get that she’s morbidly obese. He’s shocked when a chair collapses under her. When she eats plates full of fatty foods, he genuinely asks where she puts it all. And during a funny bedroom scene, she throws him a pair of her underwear that covers him like a parachute.

In my case, the factory I was auditing later notified my team that they had taken the initiative of replacing all their chairs with reinforced ones, reassuring us that safety was of utmost concern.  That wasn’t even one of the items we marked on the audit.

How embarrassing.

Being Fat Sucks!
My point in the end is that I’m noticing obese people more, and I find myself noticing their mannerisms more.  What they’re eating when they sit near me in a restaurant. How they’re moving when they leave the table.  And my heart goes out to them.

They’re caught in a vice of culture and genetics, yes, but more so in a battle of self-will.  They think things like, “It’s hopeless”, “I’m not strong enough”, and, “If I’m going to die one day anyway . . .”

No other way to put it: being fat sucks. It’s hard on the heart, hard on the joints, hard on the bones, hard on the family (the apples don’t fall far from the tree), and hard on the psyche (and apparently hard on some chairs, too!).

But if you’re still alive, then you can always turn it around. With TS2012, I’m trying every day to prove it!

Remember the Cause
My part in TS2012! is melting fat. Your part is converting that melted fat into funding for some of the poorest people in the world. Together, we’ve raised over $3,000 in pledged Christmas donation to Missionaries of the Poor, and with your help, we can continue to add to that gift!  If you’d like to encourage my pursuit of losing 100 lbs or simply add a little “intrigue” to your philanthropic life, email me your pledge today at tipthescales2012@gmail.com!

Check the FAQ page if you have any questions!

Thanks again for all your prayers and support!!!

Rediscovering Dark Chocolate

Chocolate has always been one of my highest dietary hurdles.

Fortunately, back in February, some friends of mine from church (who, incidentally, are very active in Missionaries of the Poor) suggested I try acquiring a taste for dark chocolate.  They recommended starting 60% cacao dark chocolate first and work up from there.

What a godsend! My wife and I now regularly enjoy up to 90% cacao chocolate, albeit usually in combination with something else. I especially enjoy a couple squares dabbed with regular peanut butter (not reduced fat) and some crumbled almonds on top.

On Easter, I ate a Hershey’s milk chocolate egg and actually found I didn’t care much for it.  It seemed more waxy than creamy, so I looked forward to my next square of Ghirardelli Midnight Reverie!

Consider this: a serving of Lindt 90% cacao chocolate nets 7g of carbs versus 25g in an equal sized bar of Hershey’s milk chocolate.  For someone going low-carb, I call that a win!

One of my favorite treats is Lindt’s 70% cacao dark chocolate with almond brittle. At 14 net carbs per serving, it’s not as healthful as the 90% cacao, but it makes a pretty darn good treat!

A Splash of Sunshine

I had an amazing walk this morning!

After a short drive to provide a little change of scenery, I walked through a neighboring neighborhood that was bursting in blooms like a Thomas Kinkade painting or some glorious pastel fireworks show.

God radiated in the unfiltered sun and reflected off every blade of grass and every blossom’s petal.  There was no world beyond that neighborhood.

No sirens. No garbage trucks. No dogs barking. Just a thousand little birds, cheering me on.

It reminded me of a poem by Bishop Robert Morneau, called, “A Splash of Sunshine”. It  goes:

Each day I seek a sunbeam
A luminous moment of Grace
Be it a poetic passage,
A compassionate glance,
An affirmative word.
Just a single sunbeam,
Nothing more.
This morning while walking
A splash of sunshine
Fell upon a maple tree.
It was too much,
Like the Mount Tabor Epiphany
And I turned away, overwhelmed.
I walked on
Asking God to turn down His glory
Lest I, like Milton,
Too soon would lose my sight

As a side note, the scales showed a new low for me this morning (281.4) after my brief setback this past weekend. Naturally, this helped my mood, but pouring on a sunshine stroll only grew that positivity. Like a flower.

Bring it on!

A Recent Missionary’s Reflection

A group of my fellow parishioners just returned from a week-long mission trip to serve with the brothers at the Missionaries of the Poor’s mission in Kingston, Jamaica. It was the first such trip for one of the missionaries, and she was kind enough to send me a reflection on her experience.

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Reflection on MOP Jamaica Mission Trip
Aida Galarza

On February 1, I left with 5 other parishioners from SJN to visit the Missionaries of the Poor mission in Jamaica. I had often seen the ad in the church bulletin and always had the desire to go on the trip but work obligations prevented me from going. However, I retired from my job in May and when the call went out in the fall, I didn’t hesitate on signing up to go.

The first day we were greeted, settled into our accommodations and received a schedule. We had to rise and be ready for prayers and Mass by 5:45 am. This was followed by a light breakfast and transportation to the work area assigned to us. We prayed before beginning our work and at noon before lunch. We had work after lunch until about 3:30pm when we were transported back to our accommodations. We had Rosary and Evening Prayers around 6 and supper was at 7:00. We usually went to bed early between 9 -10 pm.  Most days followed this schedule except Sunday when we attended Mass with the brothers and the community.

It’s hard to say what was special to me about the trip because there are so many things that impressed me during my stay. The brothers are just wonderful. They constantly spoke of their appreciation for our presence and help. They said we inspired them but really it was they who inspired us. Their commitment to a rigorous monastic life and their joy in their praying and service to the poor brought Christ to life for me. It showed me the way to be a true “Christ follower”, a Christian. The work of serving the poor in Jamaica helped me to better understand the works of mercy that we are all called to perform. The work was hard but the people at the shelters gave us so much joy in their humble acceptance of our efforts. Each one became a special person to us. Even now, a few days after my return, I can see their faces and I feel a longing to be there to help them. The brothers sing so beautifully that every prayer time was like being in the presence of angels.

Although I was apprehensive at the beginning of the trip, I felt confident and joyful by the end of the trip. It was hard following the rigorous schedule of the brothers but it made me feel so good to be able to help and pray as Jesus wants us to do. In our daily routine, we do not see the dire poverty that is present in countries like Jamaica. We take for granted so many things and we don’t appreciate the simple things in life. This mission trip helped me to refocus on what really matters. It helped me to be even more thankful for all that God provides to me daily. The powerful witness of the brothers helped to strengthen my faith and the need for daily prayer. Their true humility showed me how humble I need to be to serve the Lord.

I am so thankful that we have the Missionaries of the Poor. I pray that God will increase their numbers and continue to provide for them. We are truly blessed to be able to share in their missionary work.  A special thanks to Jack Marder who watched over us throughout the trip.

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If you are interested in joining the cause with a per-pound donation, please send an email to tipthescales2012@gmail.com.

Week 5 – a Rolling Start for February!

January’s officially in the rearview, and it was a great month.

I was delighted to step on the scales this morning and find 4.8 lbs missing!  That brings my total to nearly 17. What a welcome, rolling start to February!

Another $50 in pledged donations this week brings us to over $2,200!  Here’s the updated tracker:

Notes from the Week

– My family spent Friday evening at some friends’ home where we met with Father Brian and Brother Alfred from M.O.P. and helped them stuff pamphlets to advertise their upcoming concerts in the Atlanta area (details to follow).

– Your prayers are working. I am feeling ever more confident in my eating habits and am having an easier time making wise food choices.  Of course, ease is the first step toward complacency, however, so please continue your prayers; it only gets harder from here.

– My Friday daylight fasts (no food before sundown) are building me up. Not only are they an effective tool for me to strengthen my physical discipline, but the hunger pangs I feel a few times during the fast are an effective call to prayer, thus building up my spiritual discipline, as well.

– I began adding walking to my routine this week. Not as much as I need to, due to available time, but it’s a start.

– I am so proud of the way my kids are rallying behind this.  My 10-year old daughter Maddie is actively laying the groundwork for her own philanthropic venture with a genuinely great idea.  We also enjoyed the experience of working as a family among other families with the M.O.P. on Friday night.

– A quick shout-out for my wife Christy, who has shed 8 lbs so far in 2012, as well!

– Stay tuned over the coming weeks for exciting news about upcoming events!

If you are interested in joining the cause with a per-pound donation, or if you just have any questions, please send an email to tipthescales2012@gmail.com.

When I Say, “I am a Christian”

This poem is often wrongly attributed to poet Maya Angelou, but its message is wonderful no matter who wrote it.

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not shouting, “I’ve been saved!”
I’m whispering, “I get lost!
That’s why I chose this way”

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I don’t speak with human pride
I’m confessing that I stumble –
needing God to be my guide

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not trying to be strong
I’m professing that I’m weak
and pray for strength to carry on

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not bragging of success
I’m admitting that I’ve failed
and cannot ever pay the debt

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I don’t think I know it all
I submit to my confusion
asking humbly to be taught

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible
but God believes I’m worth it

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache
which is why I seek His name

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I do not wish to judge
I have no authority
I only know I’m loved

Copyright 1988 Carol Wimmer

What Does 100lbs Look Like?

Thought it would be fun to put my weight-loss goal into perspective with a few pictures of what a hundred pounds looks like.

And most importantly, consider the combined weight of my two youngest children. While I never want to lose them, losing their weight from my frame will help ensure none of my kids lose me any sooner than is just!

Blessed are the Poor

Hi All, I briefly introduced you to TS2012’s target charity, the Missionaries of the Poor, on The “Skinny” already.  Today I would like to let you hear about it straight from its founder, Father Richard Ho Lung.

I hope this short video will reinforce the goodness behind the gift pledged by TS2012’s donors so far.  Likewise, I hope it will help inspire further generosity by those of you still contemplating whether or not to pledge your support.

Many thanks again for all donations and prayers.  I, for one, am feeling fantastic about what we’re accomplishing together!

Remember to check out missionariesofthepoor.org for more info on their brotherhood.

If you are interested in sponsoring my efforts to “tip the scales” in 2012, please send me an email pledging a “per net pound lost” contribution to tipthescales2012@gmail.com.

Peace!

Week 3 Update

Hi All, it’s been another good week; my weight is down and our pledged donations are up.

I’m down another 2.9 lbs this week, bringing my total lost to just shy of 10 lbs.

Ten pounds is just scratching the surface of my goal, but it is an early milestone.  If fortune shines well this week, I will cross two milestones:  the 10 lb mark and the 300 lb weight mark.

Speaking of milestones, we broke the $2,000 mark in pledged donations this week!   Hopefully that number will continue to grow as my own weight continues to shrink.

Not Sure What to Pledge?

Several people have asked  me what an “acceptable” level of support is.

No amount is too big or too small!  Donors have pledged anywhere from $0.25/lb to $5/lb.

Donors have also used their imagination when pledging. Here are a couple interesting examples of pledges I’ve received so far:
–  One donor pledged $1/lb but only at a minimum of 50 lbs lost.
–  Another pledged $1/lb up to 50 lbs, then $2/lb from 51-75 lbs, then $3/lb from 76-100 lbs for a total potential donation of $175.
–  Some have instead pledged prayers and also spread the word through their own prayer and charity groups.

As I said in the beginning, I think the sky’s the limit for where we can take TS2012 together.  Likewise, the sky’s the limit for ways you can support!

If you are interested in joining the cause with a per-pound donation, or if you just have any questions, please send an email to tipthescales2012@gmail.com.