Conditioning for Outdoor Sports

     Well it has been a few weeks since my last post. I have been super busy with work and being healthy! Any one who does not really know about my childhood and teenage years also does not know of my love for outdoor sports. Well sure bike riding and tennis I like well enough, but I am mostly talking about hiking, hunting, and fishing. Since moving to the Baltimore / Washington DC area I have not been able to do a whole lot of that. Mainly because there are so few forests left in Maryland.

     As kids my dad taught us to not just be good hunters or fishermen, but he taught us the importance of wildlife conservation and that it is ok to just go out in the woods some times and enjoy nature. I have to tell you, that at 360lbs+ it was tough trying to walk in the woods. Heck it was a chore walking up the stairs to the fridge! So far I have shed 84lbs and moving is a breeze these days! I have been doing a few different exercises to strengthen my legs and core. I have been giving the treadmill a break for a little bit but am planning to get back on that horse this week. I have been doing a modification to a workout Bob Harper had me doing where I go into a squat and then with 60lbs or more on a barbell do some reps. The squatting not only gives my legs a good workout but it also gives my core a run for its money!

     I know hunting is not for every one. I strongly encourage you to find something you like doing outside. Even if you are just starting out on your own weight loss journey you may find that your state is more beautiful than you realize! If weight is something you have struggled with and you need some one to talk to, I strongly urge you to give my health coaches Claire and Arnold a call or an email. Be sure to let them know Mike Case sent you!  They are very friendly and have been through the weight loss journey them selves.

All the best,

Mike

290's Baby!

     Well we have finally made it back to the 290's! This is the first time since high school that I have weighed under 300lbs! Friday night I had hit another milestone, I ran a mile just a few seconds over 14 minutes. You read that right. As a teenager I had always had a hard time running for distance. My real problem was a lack of wanting to push myself to be honest. So when I looked at my Nike Plus data at the end of my 5k I did not realize I did my fastest mile until Tiger Woods congratulated me on my fastest mile 14:03! I still had my headphones on and just laughed, and the lady next to me was puzzled and trying to figure out what I was laughing at.

     High school I remember no matter how hard I tried to do a 15 minute mile the best I could squeak out was 16:36 so for me 14:03 is a big deal. How man 34 year old men can say that they are out performing their teen-aged self in their 30's? Just think my goal weight is 168lbs so I still have a ways to go. Below is a graph of my weight loss since starting Medifast.

My weight loss progress so far.

     I am looking forward to competing in a 5k this summer. I am trying to push myself and be ready for a 10k but if all I can handle is 5k then that will be fine with me. I am also looking forward to doing more outdoors / men type things. Not being in NH I have to admit I really miss just being able to go hunting and fishing. I love the woods and the outdoors, my wife not so much. For me the further away from city life the better. Steph loves being near 6 different grocery stores so she can use her coupons and get the best deals. In the boondocks you are lucky if there is a Super Walmart 45 minutes away. Just really looking forward to getting up and doing more!

-Mike