10 miles

Today I completed (not ran) 10 miles. My first four were in the morning at Annalee's school. She had a 5K and then a 1 mile fun run so that gave me only 6 to go. That afternoon I did a 6 mile lap from our house down by the park and back up Old Shell. It brought back a ton of memories for me cause I did part of the course of the marathon we did 3 years ago. I remembered how tired and hurting I was and was only at 18 miles. I also realized since I was only at mile 3 of this 6, i should shut up and keep going. I did it alone, so I had plenty of time to think. My mind wandered on so many things, from what makes people throw trash out their windows to I wonder if someone hit me how bad it would hurt? I also looked at the beautiful trees 9i don't know what they are) that bloom with such great white flowers and look so amazing and thought about how this. If God is called our tree of life then the roots and branches that come forth from the ground burst open at the top in an outward display of joy and evidence of the growth and strength that comes from below or inside. When I think about the fruit of my life, I want it to be like those trees, where God's love for me is blossomed into an amazing display of his glory and that there is an outward appearance of all that he is and what he wants! I think its sad when Christians choose not to serve the lover and giver of life. I know there are always excuses that sound good in your head and out loud but we do not serve a God of excuses but of sacrifice! I hope I can learn to live more sacrificially in so many ways!

13.1 Miles

Well in my continued plight to lose weight, my friend Matt and I have started training for a half marathon. I have gained a few pounds and am still having issues with food as an idol. But today we did a leg of 8 miles which shockingly wasn't too hard, but it was tough afterwards. I have also pulled a ligament in my hip which has made me have constant pain especially when I sleep. Anyway, if I were to start giving you excuses about what I have been doing, or how busy I have been I know it would be an attempt to cover up the truth. The truth is I love crappy food and I don't love exercising. Both of these things need to change to some degree. Well that's all for now. I'll try to get back on track with blogging but realize if you haven't heard from me I am struggling! Please feel free to ask me at any time about this because the more accountability and burden barring others are willing to do, the more it stands before me as a daily issue. So thanks!

Long time no blog...must mean I'm getting fatter!

Well not really, but I am not on the track that I had planned. I am down to a loss of 20 pounds and I feel like I have accomplished nothing. I am regrouping and back on the heavy routine this week, but the weather has made it quite difficult to exercise outside and at times leaving and going to the gym is...well I am still lazy at times. (I know your shocked) Anyway, I need to make another big plunge to launch and lose the next 20. I appreciate suggestions and encouragement...so comment will ya, it really does help! My wife running a half marathon may have helped push me too!

Crap

So its looks like I gained another 2 pounds back this week. I am not shocked, based on things I didn't do. The rain porevented exercise alot, but as far as food I really didn't do too bad until the weekend. Date night with dinner and marble slab (we should have shared) breakfast at Chickfial with Davis, and popcorn with the girls. I'm not as discouraged as I was a caouple weeks ago because I got quality time with the 4 most important people to me. I still have to learn how not to involve food with everything and that has been a challenge. Also, I am kinda getting tired of dieting. I keep telling myself my granola bars are like candy bars but that has worn off a bit. Also, Chrsitmas coming and Annalee's birthday right around the corner have some food challenges ahead. So, pray for endurance people cause right now...it's hard to want to not eat whatever I want. On a positive note, I had to buy a new belt because the other one would no longer hold my pants up. It's very clear that mjen over 30 should not attempt the sag (you know if you try) but I was encouraged by that fact.

Back on top

Well this past week was pretty uneventful until the weekend. As most of you know I am a big Florida fan and knew Saturday would be filled with temptations to eat whether we won and I needed victory food or if we lost and I need comforting food. As it turns out I would have needed a great deal of comfort based on the but kickin' Florida got. Anyway, to make the situation removed and take temptation away I decided to fast and pray when I was tempted to eat. God was so good to me in this because lets face it...some buffalo dip and chicken wings would have made me feel better. But only for a little while. My heart and body are really starting to see food differently. Last night at evening of prayer, I said no to dessert and didn't feel the urge to clean my son's plate of his pizza he didn't eat. The result this morning 222.2 and am back on track for weight loss on my 2.5 pounds a week. That means so far I have 16.3 pounds. Last night my friend Matt (Spivey) said man your losing weight. I was proud but really I should have said, no God's just helping to make me thin. I really do feel the Lord's hand in my body. In closing, I wanted to respond to a few things. Hope, my next reward is a CD and I have an afternoon at the movies next so thanks for the encouragement. Also, when I lose 50 pounds I am getting a Wii! Temptation still rises so keep praying for me and asking me how I am doing and if you see me about to eat something that hinders my cause...feel free to tackle me.
Scott Parks

A little discouragiing

Last week my mom was in town so I couldn't get up and write about my half pound loss which was a little frustrating but understandable. The past week was my birthday and apparently I was more loved this year because of the number of cakes I received..the enemy knows how to tempt! Well as I mentioned above this week my mom was in town for thanksgiving and really I just didn't eat well. I tried to exercise more to compensate for the crazy schedule but it did not work. I gained 2 pounds back this morning and although I was a little discouraged, I know it was my fault. I ate a good bit on thanksgiving, went to a football game and ate junk, and we ate out several times during the week and it just wasn't' good for me at all. On a different note, my pants feel loser and I still feel like I have lost weight. One of my friends sent me this weight loss tracker that has places where you reward yourself for weight loss with non food related items. MY problem is I keep thinking of restaurants to go to or really expensive things to add to my list. So I need some help! If you have any ideas about what things you may want to suggest that our cheep non edible foods then I would love some ideas. Well, I have three weeks before Christmas holidays and parties are starting to line up. Pray for this season of stress, food, and events that will tempt me as well as that this week I can get back down tot he losing that I started.

Weigh In Day and the Electronic Scale

Week 4 Day 1
This morning I woke up ready to weigh in after three weeks of dieting. I have been weighing myself each Monday morning to see what I truly lost since I have more liberty on the weekends. So I got up and got ready to get on the scale.My original weight was 338.5 so my goal was 328.5. The first time on the scale it said 330.4. After getting back on the scale it read 327.8. Now I thought for a moment, if I could just get off and on the scale and lose weight like this this will be easy! So i tired 2 more times getting 328 and 328.8. So I went with 328 not giving myself the lowest number but certainly not the highest either. Which means over the last 3 weeks I have lost 10.5 pounds. I don't really feel the lose completely but I know with consistency, effort, and prayer this is only the beginning. I really want to honor the Lord for His service with my body. I feel this can be done with a healthier me and that keeps me motivated throughout this process. So Keep praying and thanks for the encouragement.
Scott Parks