The Results

Did I say results on Friday?  Of course I meant results on Tuesday!

I weighed myself on Monday, with the final result of 161 lbs., a total of 9 lbs. gained.

             Before     After      Total Change
Weight: 152 lbs.     161 lbs.      +9 lbs.
Chest:    34"            35"            +1"
Waist:    31"            32.5"         +1.5"
Hips:      35"            34"            -1"
Bicep:    12"           12.25"        +.25"
Thigh:    18.5"         19.5"          +1"

I was in the gym yesterday morning and plan to be back tomorrow.  Food has been a more difficult issue, because I don't always know what I'm going to have.

Spiritually, I'm still trying to get up early enough to get my quiet time in.  It's been more difficult the last few days, but I'm hoping to get my schedule regulated soon.

I've found myself more comfortable with Spanish, although maybe not as comfortable as I'd like.  The proof of that will come next week when my wife and I are in Mexico.

And speaking of proof, the physical proof is in the photos.  Check out the difference:

 

Before - 2/23/2012                      After - 3/27/2012

Day 28

As I write this, I'm sitting before what might be termed the last supper.  It's certainly the last omelet I'll be eating for a while.  And that goes double for black beans.  And oatmeal.  But overall I'm glad to have had this experience.  I've picked up some good habits this month that I hope will last a good long time.

I'd like to thank my wife again for putting up with complete changes in my behavior.  She's also been my official measurer, photographer, and--on occasion--shopper.

Today's prayer country is Saudi Arabia, the world's second most oppressive country religiously.  In this nation, non-Muslims cannot be citizens, and even foreigners are not allowed to worship unless they are Muslims.  Two Indian nationals were arrested last year and kept far beyond their 45-day sentences.  They have been released, but one was imprisoned for around six months.

Results tomorrow!

Day 27

I'm tired.  This week has proven to be the hardest, but knowing I'm this close to the end has made it easier.  Tomorrow I'll wake up and only have to pound down one more bowl of beans, one more protein shake, four more eggs...  And I may very well sleep until noon on Friday.

Speaking of Friday, I'm still actually planning on working out.  The gym has the only scale I've used, so I have to pop in anyway to get weighed.  Here's hoping it's a good number, although I'm starting to worry that I may have passed my goal a bit in the midsection.  A little fat store is good, but I don't want to get to fluffy, even in spots.

Today's prayer country is Nepal.  The tiny mountain country is still working on its new constitution, one that believers hope will include freedom for all faiths.  The Maoist doctrine of the leadership could prove detrimental, but overall things are improving from a monarchical past that included quite a bit of persecution.

Day 26

I'm starting to notice a bit more aggression in my behavior lately, probably as a result of the increase in testosterone due to lots of extra protein and exercise.  This just proves that there can be too much of a good thing, and I'll be glad when it regulates after I'm finished.  Just two more days...

I've enjoyed getting to where I am--I really have--but I'm ready to hit the rewind button on a bit of it and get back to some sense of normalcy.  The point is, of course, to change what constitutes normal, but I'm ready to get there just the same.  As far as my diet and exercise go, I'll be dropping to a 2- to 3-day per week exercise regimen, and I'll be cutting down on the protein after Thursday.  I expect to be putting away the peanut butter and tuna still, just without the protein shakes, black beans, and eggs.  My goal is to have some protein at every meal.

Today's prayer country is Mexico.  The state of Chiapas on the southern coast is a bit dangerous to those who don't practice the mixture of Catholicism and pagan native practices that is common there.  In addition, the Zapatista rebellion group that had some influence in the '80s and '90s still has some sway over people in the area.  And of course there is the earthquake that hit Mexico City today, as well.

Day 25

I definitely didn't want to hit the gym this morning...or go to work...or eat those blasted black beans.  Yep, another blah day, but I can keep reminding myself that it's almost over.  The excitement may have waned, but there's a difference in me, in how I look and feel, and in who I am.  So what if I'm not enjoying the process anymore?  In three days I can start hitting the exit strategy and trying to fit these new pieces into the puzzle of my life, hopefully moving a few of the less desirable pieces out of the way.

Today's prayer country really hit me hard.  It's Eritrea, where an estimated 2000 Christians sit in jail cells right now.  Three of them are confirmed to have been in jail since 1994, just a year after the country became recognized.  Almost every Christian in the nation of 6 million has been arrested at least once, and those in jail are often beaten and tortured.  These facts are just...devastating.

Day 24

We had a wonderful morning at church today; the wife and I kept our daughters childcare class for the second service.  We helped take care of seven little ones under the age of 2.  That was...an adventure.  They were all great kids, though, and I'll be glad to do it again if we're ever asked.

My Spanish is flailing a bit, so I'm going to have to be sure to study up over the next few days.  Everything else is going so well that I don't want that to be lagging too far behind.

One part of my exit strategy is going to be to make sure I'm up half an hour earlier than I need to be so I can get my prayer time in the morning.  Doing it at night worked for over a decade, but it's time to realize that it wasn't working anymore.  I'm not usually much of a morning person, but I am noticing that getting up a bit earlier seems to be helping.  I'll just have to make sure I'm getting to bed on time.

Today's prayer country is Uzbekistan.  Political corruption seems to be the main source of persecution there, with believers accused of almost anything to stop their preaching.  One man was imprisoned on drug charges, although he and others in his church claim the drugs were planted on him by authorities.  I can't speak to these charges, but I can definitely say that he's not the only Christian to be imprisoned there under questionable incidents.

Day 23

Happy St. Patrick's Day to one and all.  Went off-diet this evening to serve corned beef and cabbage to my family.  Plenty of protein in that beef, and I ate plenty of everything.  Other than that, it's been just another normal day.  I paid dearly this morning for staying up too late last night, and I'm planning to avoid that mistake very shortly.

Today's prayer country is Somalia, a nation that has had no shortage of trouble in recent years.  Early this year, a 17-year-old boy was beheaded by an extremist Muslim group, related to al-Qaeda, for his Christian beliefs.  Two years earlier, a 17-year-old girl was shot for the same reason.  This is a country which deeply needs prayer.