Updating.....

Hello everyone! Hope you are doing well! The last two week have been pretty eventful in my families life! We battled a couple weeks of sickness with my daughter being the worst of all of us. Unashamedly I admit my workouts have suffered over the past two weeks but I was needed in other places. I am still eating right and am in the last week of the Lent fast from meat. I have noticed that my desire to eat meat is almost gone so at the very least I will cut WAY back on the amount and type I eat for sure.

My weight has stayed at 250-251 but under the circumstances, I will take maintaining it for this week. I have decided that I need to focus my efforts over the next four weeks 75% cardio, 25% weights. Now that I have lost weight, cardio is much easier on my 90 year knees. So, hopefully over the next four weeks I can focus on endurance and along the way keep from getting rusty by lifting a little.

I cannot tell you how much your compliments mean to me. Many of you have shared that you can see a difference and I appreciate that! Most of all, I appreciate your continued prayers and encouragement. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Moving Forward

It's been a rough week around the Showen household! Both of our kids have been sick and continue to be sick at the time of this writing. My wife has been surrounded by them daily now for almost a week! She is most truly a warrior! Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to pray for healing for the kids and protection for myself and Andrea that we do not get whatever sickness this is.

This morning was my annual check up day at the doctor. Had the routine blood work done and talked with him. I weighed in at the doctor today and my weight was 250lbs even! I was very excited. He noticed on the chart that since my last visit I had lost 38lbs. He was very encouraging, told me he was proud of my efforts, and to keep going! This was the first time in a long time that I was actually eager to be weighed at the doctor because it would give me something to look back on and see my progress so far!

I have been reluctant to set a final number as to where I would like to end up weight wise. Genetics tell me I will never be thin thin and healthy. I would like to end and maintain around 210. That would be a loss of 78 pounds total and at that weight I would be in really good shape, even though my stature is short, my build at 210 would be healthy. If you have seen my shoulders, you know why I will never be "skinny"! hahaha

Once again, thanks for the prayers and may God bless you in your efforts as well!

Apologies for the delay!

Sorry it's been so long since I updated! Here's a quick hit on how things have been going.

I have stayed true to my commitment for Lent, 3 weeks in and 3 weeks left. Week 3 has been the most difficult. While not giving in, the temptation to snatch a bite here or there has been crazy! But prayerfully, I have resisted and am still honoring my commitment. Many have asked if I will go get a big steak when Lent is over, and I say "NO WAY!" My body wouldn't know what to do, so I will enter back in slowly. Really though, I may eat less meat simply as a health choice when all is said and done. I know one thing for sure: I will cut back on the portion size of meat, regardless. Thanks for your prayers and support!

I was asked by a friend on Tuesday if I had weighed in yet, and I hadn't! I guess I was so excited that I am noticing a difference in the way my clothes fit that i forgot. I have been noticing the notches on my belt...some notches have never been used before and now they are getting used! I am super excited about this....I did weigh in, and my weight is now at 254 lbs. Overall, from last year, that is a decrease of 34 lbs. I am inching closer to not having to use the slider at the top of the scale and then dropping to a new number at the bottom. This is super exciting for me. While the victories are small right now, they are still victories.

Your words of support and prayers mean the world to me. I could not do it without you. Please remember me as you pray, and I will do the same. God bless!!!

Back In the Saddle

I am grateful to say that I have recovered enough to get back to the gym. I worked out for one hour and fifteen minutes today. I did a full body circuit which consisted of arms, shoulders, back, legs, abs, and lower back. I could definately tell I had been out sick for a week. I did not notice any substantial loss in strength, but having an illness which affected my respitory system kept me very winded throughout my work out. I quickly learned that 3 sets of 20 was pushing my limits, so I did drop to 3 sets of 15. Even at that, I was coughing and catching my breath at the end of each set. But I was very excited that I could finish the entire workout without giving up.

I was able to work out with my friend Kevin a little today. We hadn't done that in a while. He is recovering from shoulder surgery and his recovery has been a long one: rotator cuff. Please keep him in your prayers as he will return to work very soon. Pray for healing and strength as he continues to recover.

I know that sharing the details of my workouts may not be the most entertaining reading and I appreciate you trudging through it for me. I am asking you to read through something which helps me keep accountable. In actuality, I am writing this blog for an audience of one: me (notice the lower case "o" in one) However, so many of you have somehow sought to encourage me, and at times, even draw some strength from my keeping this blog open and real. That is an honor to me, all of your words and encouragment. If you draw motivation and desire from tracking my progress, so be it. I praise God for using my struggle to help others. But for those of you who are just along for the ride to help me, thank you to you as well. I believe with all my heart, that when I reach my goal, (and I will reach it), I can look back and give thanks to God for surrounding me with such great support. I will get there.....I will reach my goal.....I will overcome the struggle of being fit. And I will do it because of Him....

Pressing On......

Hello everyone! I hope and pray you are doing well today! My wife and I went to an appointment today to update our life insurance and part of our doing so included activities like blood work, weight check, etc. I was thrilled today when I did my weight check and had lost another 3 lbs. This puts my current weight at 256 lbs which is a total of 32 lbs lost from the start weight! I am very excited to see results and it continues to motivate me even further!

I am also please to say that I have remained faithful to my Lent commitment of fasting from meat despite the fact that my wife and daughter had fried chicken legs the other evening! hahaha...I have been able to resist the temptation and and continuing to see the benefits from a healthier, meat-free lifestyle.

I cannot thank you enough for the comments, emails, and general support I have received from SO MANY people! Some of you have shared your stories with me about your weight loss, what you have given up for Lent, and countless other encouraging words! Your ministry to me means the world!

I have finally gotten over this sinus infection and feeling strong enough to hit the gym hard this week! Please pray for protection of my exercise time and that I am able to accomplish all that God has for me! Until next time......

Milestone Weigh In Today

I had reported of my sickness in the last post and I am continuing to recover. I am about 75% right now and still taking antibiotics and hope to return to my workouts by Thursday. However, I do have some good news to share.

I do need to preface my news by saying that 1. I did eat regularly while being ill and drank plenty of fluids as my appetite wasn't affected by my severe sinus infection. 2.My workouts ended the day after I begin feeling ill, so my last workout was last Thursday. 3. I began my Lent practice of giving up meat on that same day (thrusday) and have remained 100% faithful to that comittment. So in summary, I haven't worked out in nearly a week, have maintained a healthy eating lifestyle, and have remained faithful to my Lent committment.

So, the milestone weigh day should have been yesterday but I was home recovering and came to the office this morning to play catch up and weighed about 10:30...to my shock and surprise, I had lost 5 lbs!!!!!!!!! This dropped my weight to 259lbs, breaking the 260 mark for the first time in "I can't even remember"! I did it three times to make sure I wasn't missing something, and it was correct!!!!!! Even though I still feel subpar, I couldn't help but smile! So far, my total weight loss stands at 6 lbs and that has been during a very interrupted time of exercise. Honestly, I believe cutting out meat has made more of a difference than I thought. At any rate, I am now EXTREMELY excited to be healthy enough to resume work outs, but also realistic enough to know that I must fully recover from the last 4-5 days of meds and sickness before busting the gym wide open again. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS! It's the only way I keep on keeping on!

Ironically, I think what I am excited about most is this: Another 10 lbs lost, and I won't have to set the scale on "250" and then use the slide above it....From where I began at 288 and to get down to 249, would eliminate the slide for me....that makes me want to cry, in a good way of course. A very practical, visual reminder of how far God has brought me!

Bad Timing!

Sorry there hasn't been an update in a few days. Please remember me in prayer as I am battling a combination of the flu and sinus infection....sorry nothing to report but when I am better, I will pick it back up! thanks!