Mantra: I am transforming my life for my wife and kids. I am transforming my life for me. This transformation is being controlled by me.
My transformation into an overweight, lazy, drinking too much, eating too much guy happened because I did not control and take ownership of the decisions I was making.
If I ordered food at the drive thru of yet another fast food restaurant it was because I was too so busy I had no choice or if I was grabbing our kids a snack well I better get some food because if I don’t when would I be able to eat again. If I decided to have a drink or two it was because I was stressed and needed to relax or maybe to celebrate a moment. If I rested, it was because I worked so hard earlier or I just needed a break. Truth be told: that is all BS. I chose to pull into the drive thru and convinced myself that the crap I was ordering was going to make me happy or the drink I was tipping back was the one that would wash away my stresses.
Long story short, I never seemed to get happier and I never felt rested. I just felt more and more out of control. So while grasping at the fraying rope, that was becoming my life. I found myself searching for the times I was happy and had energy. All of those times seemed to coincide with one common theme. I was in better shape and making decisions that did not just feel good but were good. I would stretch myself and strive for things instead of taking what was easiest to reach.
So I began a couch to 5K plan. In short order I was dealing with pain from plantar fasciitis. Eventually I had to admit I had gained too much weight and needed to drops some pounds in order to run pain free. Well after a number of all-night infomercials I gave in to trying P90X. After all who can't give an hour a day to improve their health/life? Well it turns out I can't.
So I quit that plan twice. And regained all the weight I lost plus some. One late night while surfing the web I found a YouTube video comparing the efficiency of Turbulence Training to that of P90X. I was skeptical to say the least. After that I researched Turbulence Training’s programs for several months. I could not find anything negative. So I went ahead and purchased Craig’s TT for fat loss Manual. I then learned about his Transformation contest(bonus motivator). Then I steeled myself for what was to come and in I went. I felt like if this did not work for me I might not be able to get back to being me(optimistic, striving, happy).
On 9/15/2011 I embarked onto the challenge of getting back to me.
As I started this challenge I was the heaviest I had ever been 226.2 pounds. I started with Craig’s nutrition guidelines and as I progressed through the system I became more and more regimented. In week 3, I started with some Eat stop Eat and finished the final 4 weeks with Craig and Joel’s new 24/7 Fat loss nutrition plan.
As for workouts I dug into the TT for fat loss manual and began with introductory workouts. I defiantly broke a sweat and then some. The workouts were not too hard, but hard enough to let me know I did something good for me. In week two I moved to the beginner workouts. In the second week of beginner workouts I wanted more challenge so I added some reps and a third set to the super sets.
Oh yeah that did it. It's nice that Craig in all his work outs empowers you to be flexible to fit your level of fitness. I continued to follow the order set forth in the Original TT for Fat loss manual until I completed the Intermediate level work outs. With four weeks remaining in the Transformation 12 Challenge I moved to the new 24/7 Fat Loss workouts. Fantastic is about all I can say.
Now for the best part of all. The results: 48 pounds thrown away(for good). I have an abundance of energy and desire to get things done. The drive and focus I have brought to this challenge are filtering into all aspects of my life.
I am already seeing vast improvements to my quality of life. Most of my aches and pains are gone, playing with the kids is more of a joy and I am enjoying my work again. My wife and I are also getting along much better. She even said “feels like she is with a younger man all of the sudden.”
Statistics:
9/15/11 10/15/11 10/26/11 12/07/11 (Change)
Weight 226.2 LBS 202.6 LBS 198.2 LBS 178.2 LBS (-48 LBS)
Neck ----------------- 15 1/2"” 15 ½” 14 ¾” (-3/4)
Chest ----------------- 44 ½” 43 ¾” 42 ½” (-2”)
Naval ----------------- 39 3/8” 38 ¾” 34 7/8” (5 ½”)
Love Handle-------------- 41 1/8” 40 1/8” 35 ¼” (-5 7/8”)
Waist ----------------- 39 3/8” 38 ¾” 35 ½” (-3 ¼”)
Thanks for the opportunity,
James Cheyne
