So we (contestants) have been asked a simple question this week.  "What has been the biggest change in me since I started the contest"  Well looking at the past 3 months there have been many changes within by myself and around me. 

 

Many of the changes in me are things that I don't do anymore.   I don't get winded by simple walking up two flights of stairs.  I don't  sweat when I am having nice meal.  I don't wake up with a stiff back.  I don't  have to squeeze myself into a movie or stadium seats.  I don't have to go to the Big and Tall story to get summer cloths.  I don't  have to spend more money on bigger portion food.  I don't have to stop playing with my kids because I got exhausted in a couple minutes.  I don't have to wear XXXL cloths anymore.   

 

Other changes in me are  things that I able to do.  I am able to run 15-18 miles in a week.  I am to wear smaller clothes.  I am to choice healthier food & portions.  I am able to play racquetball for over an hour.  I am able to wake up and run at 5am in the morning.  I am able to see myself get smaller.  I am able to set and exceed my workout goals. I am able to move the car seat closer to the wheel. 

 

After looking at all the things that I don't do and things that I am able to do, I believe there is one thing that is the biggest change.  It is the fact that I feel better both physical and mentally.  That this journey is not only repairing my physical self but also in someways repairing my mental self.    With all the pain, sweat and sacrifices over the last few months I feel great about what I have achieved and enthusiastic about what is left to achieve.  Going all the way back to JAN 4 2009 and leading up into this today it has been a long hard fought road.  Even when this contest is over no matter my outcome I know I am better for doing it and I will continue on to my end weight goal and maintain it for the rest of my life. 

 

  

Tom DiCillo

So everything is going well, slow but progressing.  Making my runs in the morning as much as I can, this weather is horrible.  Hitting the Y after work trying to do less heavy lifting and more lighter and longer reps.  I still have an unbalanced calorie intake.  That is the hardest part of the whole thing.  Eating right and right portions, I find it really difficult.  I know I have to make better food choices, and I certainly am compared to where I was a couple years ago but still not at the most healthy of levels.   I am by no means a rocket scientist but I notice I eat heavier when it is cold and wet outside yet.  When it is sunny and warm I tend to eat way less and be even more active.  My wife is trying correlate this trend into has us move to warmer climates such as Phoenix, she says then I should be skinny by Christmas.  I wander if my HMO provider would cover my moving expenses, would be cheaper than a bypass. 

Anyway I back to my point about the my food problem.  Again no rocket scientist but I have been more aware of all the unhealthy food out there and the large portions of cheap food given out and cheap prices.  Since we all need to eat something everyday it is a battle I fight everyday.  I might win a day or so maybe a week but than I breakdown and have that Cheeseburger & Fries, now I only get a single or small of each no super size for me.  I see this as a problem, the mega fast food McdonKingHardeBells and ArbChickHeroWendys eatiers are always there.  With their light signs and drive thru's sending out that unsaid message  "You might have skipped us today but we are waiting for you.  We know you love the food and the cheap prices.   You'll be back, we bank on it, that is how we built a food empire" 

Now I know I have a choice and will always have a choice and it is not my enemy's fault for my failure in this fight.  I would never blame someone or something else for my own choices.  I have to train my mind as I train my body to fight against this cheap, valueless, fast food.  I have been winning, just not as much or as fast as I would like but it is a fight that can really never be stopped.   That is why when I first entered the Lighten up contest I referred to my weight lose as a war,like any war there many battles.  The battle of exersice, the battle of motivation, the battle of food.  These battle are fought everyday, each is won or lost. Like war in the end though the more battles won, the better the outcome. 

 

Tom DiCillo

So after Saturdays weigh in (loss-about .5lb) I knew it was going to be bad all thru the month I was Yo-Yoing from 280-290.  It was a lot of things going wrong from being sick, my knee hurting, being lazy.  The week before weigh in I kicked it into gear to burn about 6 pounds to get that .5 loss from last month.  I am going to be using my free workout evaluation with Hanna at Slim & Fit this month.  More to see were I stack up with a pro trainer and to get new exercises to do.  I am looking into this muscle confusion type work outs kinda of like P90x.  See if i can mix it in with my old time standards.  Hopefully the weather will break better and I can run more in the mornings and bike in the evenings.  It is a short turn around till the 21st so hopefully we all can get a loss this month.

 

Good luck everyone 

 

Tom DiCillo