Happy New Year!!!

2009 has been a very interesting year and I hope to recap in a later post, but I want to wish everyone a safe and happy new year. 

I've spent the last several days at Lake Lure and Chimney Rock, NC. Kim, Rebecca and I took 7 studentz from our leadership team to encourage, challenge, and dream cast them for the coming year. Studentz never cease to amaze me. They are capable of so much more than we ever give them credit. One student was reminded of a conversation we had 2 years ago almost to the day. God used that conversation to solidify some deep teaching in his life. I saw servanthood, love, forgiveness, acceptance and depth out of these studentz. We are SO blessed to have them influencing us. They had to get us to the mountains, plan menus, shop under a budget, cook and clean. They far exceeded our expectations, but that was nothing compared to the depth of conversation and understanding of God's word we experienced. I know this is going to be an amazing year for TBCStudentz.

Meanwhile, on the Fat Youth Pastor 40 Day Experiment...

Climbing Chimney Rock caused me to deplete 1/4 of North Carolina's Oxygen supply in less than an hour. Plants were working overtime to reproduce enough life giving O2 for every labored breath after the first 15 feet up the rock. I thought I was gonna DIE!! I guess a week of 2-3 miles with Chaco on our flat track did very little to prepare me for the altitude and climb. Yeah, I was feelin' it BIG TIME. But I made it to the top, got some great pics, beautiful scenery and a small sense of accomplishment. I don't know what the scale will say this Sunday at weigh in #2, but I am feeling better as far as energy goes. I'm also sleeping a lot better and longer than normal.

2010 has some new things for the Stilwell Clan but more on that later. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Week One is DONE

One week down and I have eaten less, exercised a lot more and I expected a little change in my weight when I stepped on the scale this morning. BOY WAS I SURPRISED!!!! (this is where you get really happy and expect some incredible biggest loser sort of weight loss) I gained 2 pounds. YEP, I GAINED TWO POUNDS!!!! Ok, before you go into this poor jeffy, it'll be ok, you probably gained muscle because it weighs more than fat excuses, stop right there.
I'm not discouraged, I'm not quitting, I knew it would take longer. I'm going to have to up my game a bit. I'll be searching for meal plans, exercise routines and planning out my day a little better. Obviously less food and more activity isn't the best way to go.  

Day 5

Well, It's the start of day 5 of my FatYouthPastor 40 Day Experiment. I behaved myself on the eating yesterday. It's CHRISTMAS and its raining torrentially outside. I got my new vibram 5 finger shoes on and I am awaiting the snickers and sneers from my family. That's what makes me "unique." I kinda like it. 
I'm not going to starve myself today. I will enjoy all Christmas has to offer as far as food is concerned, just not as much of it. Hopefully it will be dry enough tonight to walk fatdog, a ritual we have neglected the last 2 nights due to Avatar 3D and family time. I think Chaco misses it more than I do but we are going to continue with it nonetheless. 
I don't mind the rain or the 60 degree temps. I'm just looking forward to a great day of family, food, presents, and nostalgia of being young. I've watched at least 6 hours of A Christmas Story, it still makes me laugh even though I can quote the whole thing in my sleep. It is a day of peace in my world and thankfulness for my beautiful wife feeling better for the first Christmas in YEARS. I Love my life.
Happy Birthday Jesus. The only present I can give is...ME.

Day FOUR

Day four was a little tough for the "eating less" part of the experiment. I went out to eat with an old friend late and became ravenous with the christmas cookies at my normal lunch time. Dinner was a kid's meal from chick-fil-a. A few late night snacks and I'm ready for bed. 
I went to see Avatar 3D tonight with some studentz. It was an AMAZING movie. I'll add a review later. It is definitely in my top 5 movie list. 3D helps a lot, I'm sure.
It's late, Chaco didn't get his walk, and He is WILD because of it, but I'm going to bed. Off tomorrow, Christmas Eve service and Dinner at the Paw-In-Law's. I have something to be VERY thankful about. Kim is feeling good for the first Christmas in years. That's the best Christmas present I could ask for. Merry Christmas Eve!!

DAY THREE

Well, as you probably noticed, I have switched from iWeb on my mac to Blogger. I have a little more flexibility here and I love tweaking beyond what iWeb can offer right now. 

I did great on my eating and exercise today. Chaco and I went an extra 2 laps around the track. I kept snacking to a minimum and spent some quality time with friends and coworkers. The evening walk was tough at first. I didn't have the motivation, but once I got started, I hit the groove. Kim got me some awesome bluetooth headphones for Christmas and they rock while walking fatdog. I had to fight the desire to weigh again. Weigh ins are weekly, so Chaco and I both will not get on the scales for another 4 days. I can't wait to see how we do. TWO days til christmas, sweets, cakes, pies, CANDY, CAKE, PIES...O yeah, I'm cutting back.

Day TWO

Monday, December 21, 2009

Granola Bars for breakfast, mexican for lunch, starbucks quad grande caramel macchiato and rice with turkey polish sausage for dinner. NO SNACKS!! I’m slobberin’ over the last 2 pieces of texas sheet cake in the kitchen. I got in a 2 mile walk with fatdog. Overall it’s been a great day for the experiment. I’m still praying about more energy but that will come. I think we are going to bed EARLY. If I wake up in time I may try to get 1 of 100 zhu zhu pets at Walmart in the morning.

Day ONE

Day one of my 40 day experiment has gone well so far, but it was an easy day. Not my typical Sunday. I came home, ate a wonderful lunch cooked by my incredible wife, took a great nap, had a brisk 2 mile walk with fatdog, cleaned up a bit, ate leftovers for dinner and just settled down for a blog post. I was absolutely appalled at my weight this morning. 317!! Only 11 lbs. shy of my highest weight ever and motivation to get this thing underway. I did eat a few cookies and a piece of texas sheet cake. Again, this is not a diet. I’m eating less and exercising more.It just turned 7PM and I am going to try and keep my night snacking at bay. Maybe a few in the shell roasted p-nuts later, make me work for it.
I really enjoyed focusing on John 1 today. The real Christmas story that starts before the world was created.

Feel free to follow this experiment on my twitter or search the tag #FYP40DayExp