Sucess begins with a decision, then a step of FAITH.

This post is my first since January.   I'm sad to say it, but the past year hasn't been successful, weight-loss wise. However, it is part of my story.   

For those of you who haven't read my story, let me tell you what happened.  As of last July, I had lost just over 170 pounds, on my way to my ultimate goal of losing 280.  Then I went to the mall on July 4, 2012.

During that quick trip to the mall, I stopped at the food court, got a Grilled Chicken Sandwich and a diet coke from Chick-fil-a, and then I slipped.  Yup - I fell in the food court at the mall.  I tell people now that my first thought was, "My COKE!" (It's true...). But I actually hurt my back and hip a little.  

As a result, I had to stop working out and was under the care of a Chiropractor.  For awhile, my diet seemed to hold, but then I started falling back into old habits. As a result, I've gained back over half of what I had lost. At my last doctor's appointment, I weighed in at 390.   

There's good news in all of this, though!  

First, I'm still down from my starting weight of 481.

Secondly, I am still able to do something about it. I can work out again!

This summer, I started swimming again, and doing some cardio 2-3 times a week.  I haven't gotten my diet focused, but that's getting ready to change again, too. 

Tomorrow morning, I will be trying out a new workout at a local gym called "Hard Exercise Works".  Several of my friends have gone there, and one of my good buddies is a trainer there.  I'm excited to see if it will fit my goals. If I like it, I'll be going there every day for at least an hour.... Let's see.  

Also, I'm committing to y'all to start writing here again more regularly.   Not every post will deal with success.  Failure is a very real part of reaching a goal.  I tell students all the time - you learn more from your failures than you ever do from successes. 

And so, I will share my successes AND my failures with you. 

In my next post, I will tell you how it goes in the morning, and share some more thoughts.  

God Bless and Good Night!

Scott

It's 2013, and I'm back! This is the year!

So..... It's been over six months since I've blogged, but there's been a lot that's happened.  First, I fell at the local mall in July (on July 4th of all days...), and hurt my back a bit... That's no excuse, but to say the least, I've been de-railed, of sorts...

Also, I did have the opportunity to sing at Disney's American Idol Experience in July and WON the Dream Ticket!  

Check out my video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxsERVUy-Yg

Well, the Weight Loss Train is BACK on TRACK!

Let me start by saying that I am still on my journey.  This is all part of my story.  I am NOT going to quit.  I'm going to use this entry to discuss goals - Simply put, if you don't set them, you can't achieve them.  So here are my 2013 goals:

1 - Start more regular blog posts -- See?  I'm already starting that!! (again!)
2 - Get back in the gym - REGULARLY!  -- 
3 - Lose 25 pounds or more by the end of February.  
4 - SET UP A PLAN for SUCCESS for the Year! -  I am getting back on my Weight Watchers plan.  
5 - Write 2 books!   I have started writing books for use by my students in my classes.  One for Music Appreciation, and another on Student Leadership.

The goals are great, but there are a couple of things to know:

1 - Quitting isn't an option.  No one ever accomplished ANYTHING when they quit.
2 - It CANNOT be done alone.  You MUST have a support system.  
3 - ACCOUNTABILITY is key -- That's why Weight Watchers is so successful, the accountability to the scale and to yourself is paramount to staying honest about your weight loss.
4 - Exercise - Activity will accelerate your success.  It helps you feel better, too!


Well, that's it for now!  I'll see you and post again soon!

Remember to SET YOUR GOALS!!

Blessings,
Scott