Week 25: The Final Week comes to an end...

25 weeks - That is a long time to stay committed to anything - especially a diet plan. I am very proud to say though that not only was I able to make it through, but I exceeded every goal and expectation I set for myself. As you might recall from last week I was at just over 185 pounds and wanted to see how close I actually might get to my overall goal (which I wanted to do by January) of a 100 pounds. It was Thanksgiving week, I was traveling and well.....

At the conclusion on Sunday I weighed in at 179.2 pounds! That's right - over Thanksgiving week of all times - I lost an additional 6 full pounds. That also means that over the course of 25 weeks I have lost a total of exactly 101 pounds!! WOW - I just can't believe it!

Please check back later this week as I am working on a little article to summarize my journey and some tips and tricks that I learned along the way. Until then - thank-you to all of you for your support - it was felt and appreciated.

A Day to Give Thanks...

As I prepare to enjoy this day in the presence of family and friends I felt it appropriate to give thanks for the things I have been blessed with:

I am thankful for...

*My loving wife, who has stood by my side providing the comfort and support that only she can. For more than 12 years she has continued to be the light that guides me through all the dark moments. Over the recent 25 weeks she has been there next to me with her unending love, care & support throughout my journey to regain a healthy lifestyle. Although I could never express in words how truly deep my feelings for her continue to grow, I am certainly thankful above all else that she is with me.

*My father, who provides the knowledge and wisdom to help me through the trying times and the support and love only a father can provide. He is my rock and will always be my best friend through it all.

*My mother, although we have not always been close she still shows her love and concern in the most trying of times. I wish her my deepest blessings of support, love and care as she continues to make the best of her difficult times.

*My family, who has always supported and blessed the things that I have accomplished. With the new-born additions to our family they breathe fresh life into our relationships and offer a glimpse of the innocence that we all have lost along the way.

*My friends, who without them life would be very dull indeed and who make my days feel like they are lived with a sense of meaning and accomplishment.

*My health, it has been front and center for the past 25 weeks and I am thankful for the continued strength to do what is right and to be able to continue my journey to make amends for all the turmoil I have put my body through over the past several years. I am also thankful to be able to continue to move forward with the strength to succeed and accomplish all the goals I have put forth for next year and beyond.

*My job, through the many hardships that are felt around this time of economic crisis I am thankful for the continued support of a company that is sound and true.

I wish all of you & yours a very blessed and safe holiday season.

Week 24: Just 1 more week to go - What a journey!

Here I am at the end of week 24. My current weight is 185.2 I was able to loose another 3.6 pounds this week and have now lost a combined total of 95 pounds in 24 weeks!!

This week will be the culmination of a very long, and hard process that was very overdue in my life. What a week to end it on too. I am so close to my overall goal of 100 pounds that I am going to push this week like never before. I originally was looking at my birthday in January as a possible end date for my 100 pound goal but I am so very close I am going to see just how close I can get. Of course no challenge would be complete without its obstacles and we have Thanksgiving week of all weeks so that I am now setup to face a very daunting task.

Please keep checking back because I intend to put a nice, detailed article together outlining my journey over the past 25 weeks. I have had so many friends and family ask how I accomplished it and what I did that I felt I should share my story with everyone. I will include the path that I took on this healthy journey, some obstacles I overcome and of course a lot of before and after pictures!!

So see you soon...

2009 GOAL Phase 1 of 2: I am Running in theIndy Mini-Marathon on May 2nd, 2009

That's right! I have officially registered in the Indianapolis Mini Marathon on May 2nd, 2009. With all of the success I have had with my recent weight loss and the exercise that I have been consistent with during the past weeks, I wanted to set a goal so that I will continue to work toward maintaining my healthy lifestyle. This Mini-Marathon will be Phase 1 of my 2 part goal.

http://www.500festival.com/marathon

You will find all the details about the race at the link above. It is 13.1 miles long. I have already started my training and have set some lofty goals. My goal is to turn in a time of 2 hr / 45min or better. This would be an average of 4.76mph or 12:36 / mile. With the mini you must keep a minimum pace of 18min / mile.

And if all goes well I have intentions and plans for Phase 2 to take place in October of 2009 but more on that later....

Happy Birthday Juliana!!

My Uncle Mark's daughter had her Birthday party today and they rented out a place that had all kinds of large blow-up tents, slides and activities. Juliana was "Princess for a Day" and even the adults had a bunch of fun. Here are few pics of my Aunt and Uncle duking it out with the over sized gloves. Ouch - watch that right hook Cheryl!!

Week 23: Crazy Week - Lots Turned Upside Down

This week was very chaotic. Several things to deal with on a personal side and not much time to make sure I fully committed myself this week. Still I am very proud to post my 23rd consecutive weight loss week: 1.2 pounds lost. Total weight is now 189.6

2 Weeks to Go!!

Rocky has a boo-boo

Our dog Rocky had a blister on the very tip of his nose this week. Poor thing. He kept scratching at it and opening it up so to help prevent him from doing so we had to use a plastic head cone that we got from the vet.

He has to stay in it for about 12 days while we give him medication for it. He is NOT a happy dog right now.

Week 22 - Progress Report

As I mentioned last week, Joe has conceded victory but I am going to continue on for the full 25 weeks. I am happy to report that I have lost an additional 3 pounds this week and now weigh in at 190.8! 90 POUNDS LOST!!

3 more weeks to go!!

New Addition to the Tayon Family!!

I am proud to announce the arrival of my brother's new daughter. His girlfriend Christina and him welcomed in Makala to the world on 11/5/08 @ 1:50 am. She weighed 8lbs 7oz and was 20" long.

Rocky gets dressed for Halloween

Rocky decided he was going to get in on the fun this Halloween and decided to take his friend for a ride.

Week 21: CONCESSION - A WINNER DECLARED!

CONCESSION: We have a Winner!

With 4 weeks to go Joe is throwing in the towel. He feels the point gap has got too big to try and catch up to. So after 21 weeks I am proud to say that I have successfully won our Family Health Challenge. I have decided to see it through the complete 25 weeks though just to see where I can end up so I will keep you informed of my weight progress.

Week 21 Totals:

Craig: 38.65
Joe: -35.12

My results:
Weight: 193.8 / Lost 3.4 / 1.72%
BP(S): 131 / -7 / -5.65%
BP(D): 78 /-4 / -5.41%
Pulse: 82 / 5 / 5.75%

This Weeks Points: -3.58
Total Points: 38.65

My Nephew Gavin enjoys Halloween!

Mr. Monkey!!

Not only did my nephew get a great costume for Halloween he also got to ride around in style as Mom and Dad pulled him in the wagon. What a life!

Thanks for the pics Sis!

Week 20: Just 5 weeks left! - UNDER 200!!

Week 20 is in the books and we are now 80% done with this challenge!! I can't believe it. I was able to cross another milestone today and finally get under the 200lb mark on the scale. What a terrific feeling!

Last week has been really busy and I have a lot more traveling this week but will try and update you on some recent happenings. In conjunction with this health challenge that Joe and I are involved with I have made some NEW commitments for 2009! Wait until you hear what I have planned now! Talk to everyone soon...

Week 20 Totals:
Craig: 40.80
Joe: -21.24

My results:
Weight: 197.2 / Lost 3.6 / 1.79%
BP(S): 124 / 0 / 0.00%
BP(D): 74 /13 / 1.33%
Pulse: 87 / 6 / 6.45%

This Weeks Points: 9.58
Total Points: 40.80

Week 19: Soooo Close! Down to 200.8!

I was so close to being under 200 during this weigh-in. The last time I was able to turn the scales below 200 (without cheating) was approx 16 years ago. Just something to work at for this week I guess. For those of you keeping track week-2-week you will interested to know that Joe struggled mightily this week. After working hard at it he was still unable to stop the weight rebound and gained back some of his weight that he loss last week. I am also sad to report that since he left the door of opportunity open, I am now under him in total weight.

If I know him though that will only motivate him even more so I am not calling this thing over yet. As you may have noticed we have had some 40-60 point swings from week to week depending on how the weigh-in comes out. With 6 weeks still to go anything is still possible.

Week 19 Totals:
Craig: 30.50
Joe: -35.23

My results:
Weight: 200.8 / Lost 4.6 / 2.24%
BP(S): 124 / 8 / 6.06%
BP(D): 75 / 3 / 3.85%
Pulse: 93 / -8 / -9.41%

This Weeks Points: 2.73
Total Points: 30.50

Happy Birthday Dad!

(Click to Enlarge)

My nephew playing in the fall leaves...

Thank's Sis for another great picture!

We carved some Jack-O-Lanterns!!

(Craig's * Rocky's * Angela's)

I don't think we have ever taken the time to carve pumpkins so Angela and I wanted to check it off our list. We both designed our own and then of course Rocky had to have one too!

Our Visit to County Line Orchard in Hobart, IN

Angela and I decided to visit the local orchard this weekend. We had beautiful weather on Saturday and was looking for something to do outside.

After a quick 10 minutes we arrived at the County Line Orchard located right here in Hobart, IN. Everybody else had the same idea too because it was packed!

There was plenty to do though with lots of crafts to view and plenty of activities. After sampling the home-made apple and pumpkin doughnuts, we decided to walk a bit of them off so we headed for their corn maze. After boarding the tractor ride we were taken to the 12+ acres of maze cut into the rows of corn.

They handed you a map that contained various clues and questions located throughout the maze. Your job was to locate the markers and collect them all before you exit. Surprisingly the corn was very high and although you would think you would be able to look over and see - you could not. 12 acres is a big place too so we definitely got some exercise.

Afterwords we gathered up some cider, a bunch of apples and headed home. A great day though and we made a note to return soon!

Check them out on the web:
http://www.countylineorchard.com/index.html

Week 18: 75 pounds lost / 25 more to go!!

Week 18 was a great week for Joe. He has really come back with determination. He nearly grabbed the most weight loss for the week with a 4.4 pound loss. This week for me on the otherhand saw some changes. I was really sick most of the week and the weather is changing which put a change in my exercise routine. No bike riding for the first time in over 10 weeks!

I can't believe that there are less then 7 weeks to go. Even better I have now lost nearly 75 total pounds!! (I still can't believe it.) Final weigh in will probably be on Monday, December the 1st but I will get you more details as it gets closer.

Week 18 Totals:
Craig: 27.76
Joe: 6.62

My results:
Weight: 205.4 / Lost 5.4 / 2.56%
BP(S): 132 / 0 / 0.00%
BP(D): 78 / 4 / 4.88%
Pulse: 85 / 12 / 12.37%

This Weeks Points: 19.81
Total Points: 27.76

Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Michael & Jamie Barrett!

I was able to attend my cousin's wedding over the past weekend. It was really quite a time as Mark and I did the DJ work for the wedding reception. Michael is a great guy and I think the 2 of them are going to do just fine. Good to see all the family again but boy was it a long weekend.

Here is a picture of Jamie and I. (Sorry but with the DJ'ing that night I forgot to take pictures!)