Ira's Journey-The next Phase-Real Life

Monday morning I awoke at 4AM for my last official weigh in at Core Fitness. Doug met me at 5AM. He took all my measurements and body fat. I do not remember them but when I get the calculations I will post them. My final weight loss was 39 pounds. I was happy yet disappointed as I wanted more.

I boarded the plane and came home with a feeling of satisfaction and I immediatly unpacked my clothes after greeting Savannah and went right to the elipical for 45 minutes and a quick ab set. After that I prepared my meals for the day as Lea had taught me and off to work I went.

I got to my office and it was decorated with banners and ballons. Every employee called to ask " How Much?". I felt very much the luckiest man in the world as my phone and e-mails blew up with people wanting to know. I have learned a lot about myself and am excited about this next phase.

I have been home for two days and have been regimented and plan to be that way until I have the confidence that I am headed in the right direction ( I am close). Today was my first work out with my trainer at my home. It was nice to work out in the back yard. He pushed me hard but I still missed Doug, Ryan and Anny. I definatly missed my massage from Linda.

Life is great. I have great friends, family and colleagues. I will keep you all posted and I hope that you all hold me accountable.

Thanks,

IK

Day 42-Last Official Day of Boot Camp

Sorry that I have not written in a few days as this has been a tough week both emotionally and physically. As you can imagine when you have alot of people together for an intense period of time it can be difficult. All I can do is hope that I have learned more about myself and that this will help me in the future.

The trainers: Doug, Ryan, and Anny really pushed me this week. It was nice to have a little competition with them ( of course there was a handicap to even the playing field)as it pushed me to some higher levels.

I realize that I knew the right things to do and that even though I have now been given some new tools by Lea (nutritionalist) and the trainers I need to address the mental and emotional issues. Ths past week I had an extra session with Haleh (therapist) and realize that this is just as important a tool as food has always been my crutch.

So as I prepare to return home I need to make sure that I use all the tools that I have been given and address all three component: Excercise, diet, and emotional stability.

On a positive note when I checked in here at core fitness I weighed 307 pounds. I will be weighing in tomorrow morning and get my final measurements but I also had a physical evaluation. Upon my arrival we were asked to do as many push-ups and crunches we could do in one minute and we were timed in 1/4 mile. Below are my changes:

Activity Arrival Departure
Push-ups 1 minute 11 regular 22 on my knees 37 regular
Crunches 1 minute 28 68
1/4 mile 4:38 3:23

As you can see I had some improvement. I also have developed a passion for bike riding and would like to start and play tennis. Hopefully I will get back to racquet ball. I am excited and scared at the same time.

I will post my final measurements tomorrow. I truely thank everyone for their support as I have started this journey. Since I know that it is a journey I will try to post periodic updates of my progress from home.

Thank you all.

IK

Day 38 Week 6--Almost done

Today was another great day. It rained this morning so instead of beach boot camp we had parking garage boot camp. It was quite rigorous and a good workout. Then I went on a bike ride with Ryanne. It is hard to believe that I am the veteran bike rider ( well not really but Aussie Annie is on her on program training for her sprint triathalon). So by default it is me. Ryanne and I did about 11 miles and it too felt good.

Well I got cocky again and I ran my mouth. Yes I know what a shocker!!!!I challanged Ryanne to workout with me so I think that he was a little cocky as well. He offered to put together a workout and he was going to do double what I did. So here is the workout:
50 Pushups-I can only do 15 "real" the rest were on my knees
50 Situps- I only did 10 full the rest were crunchs
50 Kettle bell shoulder press's
50 Cable press's
50 Body weight squats
5 Tire rolls ( 150 pound truck tire)
10 flights of stairs

Ryanne had to do double what I did. Anne bet me 20 pushups that Ryann would win. Well guess what folks I kicked his ass!!!!! He trains me my last day on Friday and has assured me that I will pay the price for beating him. Most who know me know I have a competitive spirit. I give the trainers all the credit in the world for recognizing that, tapping into it and using it to push me to higher limits.

I ended my day with a great dinner with Debbie Huckabee and Brandie Cambell from Chattanooga as they came to pick me up. I was very good with my eating and am getting more and more confidence in my dining out.

Thanks for all the support.

IK

Day 37-Week 6

Well I survived my last endurance Tuesday. We started out with a long walk this am then it was of to Cardio tennis where coach Ed took it too us with long drills and the dreaded "2 ball" pick up. Have you ever tried to pick up only two balls when there are a couple of hundred around you and you want to get done ASAP as it is HOT HOT HOT well it is not easy and it takes a while. I came back for some cardio and then I had one of my toughest workouts. Doug set up stations and I had to go to each station and preform a task for 1 minute and then immediatly transition to the next station. I did not think that I could work out with NO break but I made it through all 32 stations. I was not the best at all the stations but I made it and I was pleased. I had two more classes but they were a breeze.

I had a surprise visit from Dr Bello and his family for a short time. It was nice to see friends from home.

Today I had a great sesion wth the nutritionalist and I am ready to come home and be successful.

We went out for a great dinner tonight with the group to a restaurant in downtown St Pete. It was very pleasant.

I still have not developed the "love" that I would have expected for working out and I hope that as I start to see the results I will develop that.

Thanks for all being there and listening.

IK

Day 36- Start of week 6

Today was the start of week 6. Monday is traditionally when we get new people. Today we received three new females varying in age. All seem nice but shy and quit which is completely understandable as this is a new environment and the start of something new for them.

Today was a tough day we started with a 7.56 mile bike ride with a boot camp, we then had a small break and then we had 1 hour of kick boxing, from there I had 1 hour of cardio and then Anny got a hold of me for my personal training session. It was 45 minutes of hell. She gave me "NO" break and was defiantly on a mission to tear me apart. I have challenged all the trainers to push me to my limits for the last week I am here. Finally I got a massage then we had a stretch class and then a beach walk. My day ended at 7PM.

I have not really mentioned how proud I am of my employee and colleagues for the great job that they have done with AFC. I have thanked them but not told them how proud I was of them. I am ready to come home and survive in the real world.

Getting ready for an APMA conference call then I will be going to bed to get some rest before my last "endurance Tuesday"

Thanks for all your support and well wishes.

IK

Sunday Day 35-End of week 5

This past week was a good week for me because I had more days that I did not want to work out then I did but I managed to find it in myself to complete my workouts with vigor.

Saturday I did a 15 mile bike ride. What I am finding is that although I have the physical ability to do alot more but it seems as if my cardio vascular status has not reached the level that I am wanting. I know that it will come with time but as many of you know I do not have the patience and at times I want things when I want them.

I continue to learn more about myself and who I am. I am a man of strong conviction and belief in myself but I do not enjoy confrontation. I realize that as my father has told me I sometimes allow my emotions to get the best of me. I am trying to accept that not everybody always gets along but it important to try and treat people with the respect that you would want even if they do not treat you the same. Life is full of lessons that we must learn daily.

As I told you previously we have had a large turnover here at Core Fitness. We had a great dinner last night. It was a real test for me as not only was this a high end steak house but they have the largest wine selection in the world and they have special dessert rooms. All I can say as desserts and fine liquors were being consumed all around me I had a small side of berries and an iced coffee. It was tough.

I do have some very exciting news. The restaurant we went to needed pants and I had to go buy some. I actually went to Nordstrums and bought pants of the rack SIZE 46. Yes you read that correctly SIZE 46 that is 10 sizes smaller then when I came here.

Today( Sunday) was a day of rest. I went to the Andy Warhol exhibit and the Dali museum. Nothing like a little culture.

Anyway tomorrow is the start of my last week. I am excited about working hard this week and then returning home.

Thanks for all the support. I will still need this at home as well as this is just the start of my journey and I know that the road will be long and winding with ups and downs.

Hope that everyone had a great 4th of July.

IK

Day 32-Week 5

Today was one of those days where I was not motivated yet I had some of my best workouts. I worked thru the lack of enthusiasm. We still had alot of rain and we actually had a boot camp in the rain which was quite refreshing.

We had a unique experience today we went to a place where we got to work with chefs and they showed us how to cook healthy. We had flank steak and grouper with a ton of vegetables as well as a dessert that was spectacular and it was 511 calories. I was amazed.

The weekend is approaching and we have many people leaving: The Terminator Trevor is returning to the US Virgin Islands, Melissa is leaving due to an injury, Lori is also leaving,as is Shellie and Aussie Annie although she is staying is starting a new program for her triathlon training and we will not see much of her. Alot of this program is built on the strength and support that we give each other and although there are still some people still here I do not know them as well. We all know that this is "progress". I am sure that the new people that join us will be nice.

Again all in all a good day. Thanks again to all my supporters and friends.

IK

Day 31-Week 5

Yesterday was grueling. As my long time friends know sometimes I get cocky and run my mouth. WHAT A SHOCKER....LOL. Well I was feeling really good so I told the trainers that they had NO GAME. Boy did I pay the price but you know it was a good beat down. Ryann told Anny to make me either cry or puke from my workout. I did neither on the outside but on the inside I was like butter. I came back to my room and crashed for an hour. I never thought that I could feel so good after getting beat up like that. That is why I need a trainer as I could never do that to myself...LOL

We have had rain for three days and I have been unable to ride or swim so we have had alot of boot camps which are tough. All in all I feel really good...tired but good.

I am starting to feel a little better about going home. I have a good plan, chef, trainer and the right attitude. I will be adjusting my work schedule to allow me to maintain this healthy life style instead of letting my schedule control me.

I want to thank all those who have commented on the blog and facebook as there have been too many for me to respond to but know I am grateful.

IK