Rick -LRH Active Health Challenge

Thank you! And final thoughts...

2008-02-29T09:24:00.000-08:00

Thank you for reading and following along on our health challenge the last couple months! I appreciate all the kind words of encouragement and...sympathy? Just kidding!

Congratulations to all the others in the challenge, who far outperformed in the weight loss category. While others were in the 10 pound range of weight loss, I was in the 1 pound range.

So was my mission a failure? Two months does not a lifetime make!

As I look back, I have a trend...gain weight in the winter, take it off in the summer. I'm sure more of us are in the same boat. Maybe moving south would be the perfect weight loss method!

Not all is lost, though. I didn't GAIN weight!!! I was more cognizant of my eating, paid more attention to my activity, tried to make better choices, tried to get past the "clean my plate" syndrome, tried to take smaller portions.

Why I wasn't a bigger loser in the contest? I could list many reasons. But the facts speak for themselves.

I was amazed at the number of people who said I looked thinner! Thanks!

Now what? I'm going to keep going...and I'll have company, as my 11-year-old daughter and I will start a new journey of health. We'll see where I'm at in a year...and maybe a year later I'll be in the news again as a bigger loser!

Thanks again and stay healthy!

Less than 3 weeks...

2008-02-08T12:01:00.001-08:00

We have less than three weeks to go...it's crunch time!!!

It was heartening to hear that there was a huge turnout of men for the talk by the dietitian. I'm not alone in my weight challenge!!

An update....

2008-01-29T08:24:00.001-08:00

So where did January go??

Thanks to everyone who asks me "how it's going?"....and to Mick for pointing out that I shouldn't be carrying around a cup of coffee on the YMCA track!!!

I think it's human nature to have excuses....why something can't be done. Have I lost weight? I doubt it. Am I more aware of my diet and exercise? Yes. Can I do more? Of course.

So with about a month to go, I am under no illusions that I will be the standout victor in this challenge. The reality is that we challenge ourselves, more than each other. If we can help each other out in the process, that's great! If I can get down in weight by the end of February that's great. If not, then I can't think of this as a failure, but as a journey; a journey that really never ends.

Again, thanks to everyone for all of your comments and concerns! I'm doing ok....we'll see what the next couple weeks brings!!

Challenge doesn't say half of it!

2008-01-15T11:13:00.000-08:00

It's January 15...already!.....and I'm often asked "How's it going? Gee you look like you've lost weight!"

Funny how looks can be deceiving!

Let me publicly say that this thing IS a challenge. Anyone who has struggled with weight loss issues KNOWS what needs to be done...for the most part. It's GETTING IT DONE that's the struggle....

So I have been trying to be good...smaller portions....no eating at 7 p.m.....my exercise program has been sporadic...you would think that putting yourself out in public would be incentive to TOTALLY CHANGE.....alas, that's not the case with me...

I get the munchies in the afternoon....I have a stack of Clif Bars that I enjoy and hope that takes care of it...but here's the most difficult part: I hate to waste anything. I had a GORP mix on my desk...do you think I could leave that alone? Do you think I could throw out some Christmas candy and, heaven forbid, see it go to waste?? I have been sneaking candy up to the front desk where I work for other people to enjoy...that's a start, I guess...

Anyway, I'm doing ok...not great....just ok....

Next week I'm in the Twin Cities for several days. That will be a challenge..eating healthy on the road!!

The Lab Tests...

2008-01-08T13:21:00.000-08:00

Well, the results are back from the Doctor. They're ok...

OK! OK, what does this all mean? I think I have to research this a little and see...overall, I'm not bad?

Oh...the weight listed in the paper was 245...I'm now at 247.....honestly, I've been higher...so now the goal is to lose some weight and start exercising more....time to drink water!

Hey, I would welcome some suggestions..

The first of the year...

2008-01-07T09:57:00.000-08:00

I hope the holidays treated you well. I have been surprised at the number of people who have come up to me and wished me well in my challenge! Thank you for all your support.

I received the bloodwork back from the doctor. As I knew, bad cholesterol is high, good cholesterol is high..do they cancel each other out? I'll get the numbers here soon.

I tried to watch what I ate over the holidays. And now through the first week of January, I have been attempting to keep portions under control. I have been trying to drink more water. I have been bicycling in my basement.

While I have had many people comment on this effort and I feel support from the community, getting healthy, losing weight, controlling one's eating...it all seems to be such an individual effort. I do have some friends ready to play racquetball, so I hope to schedule that this week. I use to play basketball some mornings, but a foot injury...I think they call it a "pump bump"...took me off the court. I do have support from my family and my wife, Kitt, is a nibbler. We both have had issues of commenting on other's eating habits; I bet we have heard that from our parents. That can have the opposite effects, especially with children.

We're meeting today as a group, the four challenged men!

Stay tuned...

OK...

2007-12-20T14:10:00.001-08:00

OK...I'm starting December 26....

But I'm going to watch things over the holidays!!

Maybe I'll see you at "It's a Wonderful Life" at a Center for the Arts this weekend!

The Holidays....

2007-12-20T13:58:00.001-08:00

Happy Holidays to you and yours...

So I'm thinking....I can really start this challenge more after the holidays. I'm directing "It's A Wonderful Life" this weekend at the Center for the Arts...my brother Roger and his wife will be guests in our home from Saturday through Christmas....there will be ample opportunity to feast on roast beast....

That's a trap I often fall into....there's always a better time to get healthy, now isn't a good time because of this and that...so one becomes complacent in setting goals, setting a start date...

And do we really ever have a "start date" for this sort of thing? Isn't being healthy something that should be natural? Not taken for granted, which is standard for me, or many of us, but natural. I suppose I'm talking about life system changes (ok, Rick, what the heck is that??)....lifestyle changes (there, that's better)....that come natural to others....but not me.

I haven't received my blood test results yet, but here are my tentative goals to meet by the end of February:

1) Drink at least 64 ounces of water daily;

2) Do not eat after 7 p.m. daily except for a fruit snack if I'm dying of hunger;

3) Get my heartbeat up at least four times a week;

4) Lose weight.

OK...this isn't earth-shattering stuff, but it is a start. I'm thinking that I will refine these initial goals as I meet with nutritionists and meet with my challengers. I'll keep you posted on that...and let you know how it's going!

Now....when should I start?? Hmmm......

Some Background

2007-12-18T11:59:00.000-08:00

I will admit...I have my share of unhealthy habits. Take a look at my plate in the buffet line...it's usually overflowing. Do you see me working out at the Y more than once a month (if that)? I don't smoke (my parents both did) and I usually opt for wine in social settings.

Some of it is genetic; I think I have my Father's stout build. And like many of you, I can look back on my life and pinpoint "reasons"....in a family of 6 kids, there seemed to be a free pass to steal off someone's plate if they were slower eaters....and I grew up in the "clean your plate" era. Cleaning off my plate was no problem, especially since my Mother's meals usually consisted of meat and potatoes; I don't think I knew about broccoli until after college!

I do know that I weigh more than I should. I know that I do not drink enough water. I think my blood tests will show high cholesterol. I did not work up a sweat during my physical, but if I had I'm sure it would show that my wind is not what it could be (although I will say that this past summer I had great air singing and dancing on stage during the Center for the Arts show "Songs From The Tall Grass.")

I had my initial visit with Dr. Lokken a few days ago and I need to call now and get the blood test results. I explained some of my health issues, including something that I've heard called a "pump bump" that bothers me if I run. We talked about some family history, some instances of diabetes in the family, and hopefully I will be able to meet with a nutritionist in the future. I'll keep you posted on what he/she says!

Dr. Lokken is one physician you can really look up to...he's 6-foot-8 inches tall! He's from North Dakota originally and fairly new to the community, so if you get a chance to say hello, do so!

Anyway, I'm going to call Dr. Lokken's office now and see if my bloodwork is done!

After getting that information, I will tell you my goals for this challenge!

Day 1

2007-12-06T09:52:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my blog. I've accepted this Health Challenge to hopefully get in better shape and share my experiences with you.

There's little doubt that I have health issues, in particular weight control. I'm a bigger guy; I should be a smaller guy. I also am aware my diet can be much healthier, something I'm dealing with at home.

My next entry will give you some of my background, thoughts and feelings. I bet some of you can relate. I think my initial check-up/consultation with Dr. Joo should be next week.

Stay tuned....