Week 1 down....Week 2 up to bat!

 

 

Well week one is officially over and I’m happy to say that I weighed in at 260lbs, and that means I have lost 9lbs! Changing from 3,000 to 2,400 calories, working out every day, and watching your portion size can really change a lot quickly! I’m not backing off the diet anytime sooner! This week I will be increasing the workout time and the workouts that I am doing!

Feeling better mentally and physically every day and I am really enjoying myself! Even though I was doing this to speak at the Idaho BPA state conference so that I could look good, and now that I won’t be speaking there I’m still keeping on because I realize how much better I feel!

Week 2 begins tomorrow and I can’t wait till next Sunday! J

Day 3-4....Going Strong!

               Day 3 and 4 have been so much fun! Not only did I have to turn down smore’s and hot chocolate, but I had to turn down taco bell and pizza. You have to understand that the inner fat child that weighs 400 lbs. inside my body wants to eat all of this stuff! I decided yesterday since I was 800 calories below my goal of 2,400 calories/day that I could go ahead and enjoy 1 small smore and then I would have to walk away! Which I made sure to pay a visit to the gym today, to get that smore out of my system!

               I went to the gym today and was saving my calories for my awesome dinner that I had tonight! I tried to eat a little lighter, and made sure to work out just before dinner so I could get a good meal with my friends at Gambino’s! My big sis (in the Greek system), and I split a chicken parmesan dish! I had a 4oz breaded chicken breast with about 3oz of spaghetti, and a small side of bread. Topping it all off with a whopping 5 glasses of water!

               I’m actually enjoying this so much, and love to hit the gym. Do I want a burger or a 5 layer Quesadilla…yes! The reality is though that I’m healthy now and loving life!!! Can’t wait to shed these pounds off and become a Calvin Klein underwear model! Haha kidding!

Rocky Top.....Keeping me happy!

Day 2 and what a day it has been. Believe it or not I’m actually not as hungry as I was on day 1 which is great because it makes the diet way easier! My first weigh in will be on Sunday night so I’m pretty excited to see what week one has done to me. After all I don’t eat much since I cut back from about 3,050/day to about 2,400/day, well that’s what I’m supposed to be eating.

I’ve been eating about 1,600 calories a day and I’m actually having a hard time eating that many! Eating really healthy food and fighting the temptation is all it takes. I have cut bread, soda, and all those other fattening foods, and have been going to the gym once a day for right now. I will increase everything probably in a couple weeks or in a month! I know I won’t quit!

To make myself feel better and to not quit, I have bumped up listening to “Rocky Top” once/day too about four times/day, because it cheers me up!! I also tell myself after everything I eat that I’m so full I couldn’t eat another bite…..when truthfully I would love to drive myself down to that McDonalds and grab me a Big Mac, large fry, and a diet coke to keep it healthy. I miss those good things in life but I love the way I feel everyday now more! Day 1 and 2 are done, bring on day 3 baby!

Day 1.....The Weigh In!

Day 1 of the diet and the weigh in is going to be released through this blog!! I know I have tens and tens of followers out there who have just been dying to find out my starting weight for this new journey. A hint to how I feel about my weight after getting off the scale is all in the picture above.

When I stepped off that Scale today I knew that I had a serious problem and that it needs to change! I may not look as big as a weigh, but I fell it. I weighed it at 425 lbs......ok not really, but I know y'all are just scrolling down looking for the weight instead of reading the blog! I know not very many people have faith in me, but Eric and Jake from my fraternity who are running my diet do, so it is very helpful. Everyone's doubts is all I need to fuel the fire to this weight loss challenge!

"You can’t always be the strongest or most talented or most gifted person in the room, but you can be the most competitive. Competition allows you to influence your opponent."

~Pat Summit



My Opponent right is this weight loss challenge that I want to do. I weighed in today at 269 lbs and I want to get down to 200 lbs. Hoping to do most of this before summer, but I will continue it forever, since I want to be skinny!

Day 2 could hold so much more! You just never know! :)

Round 3....The Final Round

That's right folks, you may have given up on my weight lost challenge, but I do believe that I as a person am ready this time. I will blog my way through and tell you everything and I mean everything that happens. It starts on Monday 1/28, so that I can get the last bit of temptations out of my system. My beloved place to hang out and eat is Buffalo Wild Wings, and after today it will only be a place to eat salad, have a glass of water, and watch the game. No more wings and lemonade, no more 40 cent wing Tuesdays, and 60 cent wing Thursdays, just a nice cold glass of water with some lettuce.

I have decided to have a guy in my fraternity help me, because 1...he wants to do this kind of stuff when he graduates, and 2...he's a health freak! He will be making me a meal and exercise plan to follow and I will stick to it. It shouldn't be too hard up here in Moscow, Idaho where there is no temptation of Wild Wings just around the corner! I'm in it to win it this time guys! Monday the weigh in will be released!

Turkey Domination...Not Good!

 

 

        Oh how I love to go home and eat amazing food…the only problem is that there is no motivation to hit the gym, and with all that delicious food I believe that I’m now the stuffed turkey. I have decided it would be best to not weigh in and to just start hitting the gym. I’ll weigh in Sunday to find out how things are really going.

       Being the basketball team manager for the University of Idaho men’s basketball team is fun, but it does have a busy schedule which leaves all my free time to do homework…and blog I guess! I now have to make time in order to lose the weight. I have been doing better about walking everywhere I can and walking up and down stairs instead of taking the elevator!

       I hate to admit that I’m the stuffed turkey, but when you look down and you can basically see a whole turkey forming the shape of your belly…you know it’s time to get back to the gym. Some may still doubt me, but I will reach those 20 lbs. by December 31^st and probably over that goal. Goodbye turkey belly and hello sexy belly ;)

Turkey/Birthday....Not stopping me!

 

 

 

 

Time for the first big challenge I have to my whole diet process….thanksgiving break! All the good food that will be made will be hard to take small portions of, and all the family I will get to see will distract me from my goal, but I have to stay focused. Deciding to leave the Fraternity a little early was the best choice for me, because it will get me to where I can go to the gym with my best friend every day and stay active with my cousin Lindsay. As she too is trying to reach her last few pounds of her goal, I know she will be a great workout buddy!

I’m still down 11 pounds from my last blog that I know of, but I haven’t weighed since then. Tonight I’m going to get a big workout in since I probably won’t want to tomorrow when I do finally get home! Just have to remember to eat healthy and small portions so that I can splurge a little bit when it comes to the big turkey! The only other distraction that week will be my birthday, the Saturday after thanksgiving when we will hit up my favorite place to eat…Buffalo Wild Wings!

After thanksgiving break I’m hoping to have a blog that says I’m down 20 pounds and counting!! Working every day to get to that goal weight of 200 pounds, and I know it’s possible if I put my mind to it and keep on pushing myself.

 

Lazy but talented....sometimes true!

 

 

 

 

It sure seems like getting off schedule seems to happen for me a lot! As I'm getting ready to step on the scale, I'm scared to see how much weight I gained, knowing that I had not been eating or exercising the way I should be. I guess the fact that even though I was not eating the right food, I was still not eating very much and drinking my water. I lost four more pounds, for a total of 11lbs! It was a good feeling knowing that I didn’t just gain everything back, and that I would have to start all over again! I feel even more motivated to lose the weight now that I have broken the ten pound mark! My goal is to lose 15lbs before I leave for thanksgiving break next weekend! This would need to happen since my contract that I made for myself says I have to lose 20lbs by New Years! Making exercise plans and preparing myself for what I’m going to eat that day is helpful in not snacking.

 

I love the doubters that say I won’t be able to do it because that just motivates me that much more. I’m ready to hit that goal weight of 220 as soon as I possibly can. Motivation, determination, and perseverance are the things I’m keeping in mind to keep me going. My next blog will be before I leave for thanksgiving break and I will have lost four more pounds, I can promise you that.

 

1^st weigh in:     269  (October 21^st)

2^nd weigh in:    262  (November 5^th)

3^rd weigh in:    258  (November 8^th)

 

Day two...On track!

It is harder than I thought it was going to be to do this in college and the schedule I’m on. Between class, fraternity things, and being a manager for the Idaho Men’s Basketball team, I find myself trying to find something healthy to eat harder and harder. By taking a quick trip to Wal-Mart I was able to get some grab and go healthy food like pre-mixed salads, 100 calorie snacks, and even some lean cuisine meals! You just have to push yourself away from that free KFC they give you after working all day and say to yourself you have a delicious salad waiting for you back home.

When it comes to exercise, I feel as though I’m lucky to get enough each day, that if I miss the gym I will be ok. Walking these hills of Moscow day to day, having to run from the gym to the Kibbie and back three or four times a practice, and just deciding to take the stairs over the elevator are the things I have to do. The gym is very vital in order to keep going strong, because my body gets used to the daily walking, running, and taking the stairs. To do something a little extra everyday will push you over that peak of greatness.

The goal is to weigh 215-220 lbs., and to look good. When you look good you feel good, when you feel good you will succeed, taking the motivation, perseverance, and self-strength to meet the goals that I have put forth to beat. Day two has been a successful one, but it is only day two. Hopefully I will have dropped a total of 10lbs, meaning I only have to lose 3 lbs. this week. It’s a possible goal that will have to be met.

Food Intake Today

Breakfast:

1 slice wheat toast w/ tbsp. of butter

6 oz. of apple juice

Lunch:

Tilapia

Corn on the Cobb

Bowl of salad

8 oz. tang juice

Snack:

Carrots

Broccoli

Almonds

Cheese

Dinner:

Caesar salad

Diet coke

Starting over...should've just kept on going!

Like the picture above, this has pretty much been me the last year, blaming an injury due to gaining back all my weight, and not just sticking it out. Now not only starting over, but starting with even more weight than last time. With the help of my Delta Tau Delta brothers I know that I can achieve this goal. Hard work and healthy eating will get me to lose at least twenty pounds by January 1st.

One year and five months ago I was at 230lbs after losing 29lbs off my starting weight of 259lbs. Last week I weighed 269lbs and have gained every pound back and gained another ten pounds. Today I have lost seven pounds and weighed in at 262lbs. My goal weight as of right now is to weigh a total of 220lbs. I signed a contract that if I do not lose twenty pounds by New Years I may not watch Rocky Top for 1 month and cannot participate in any New Year’s activities. I know that this is a very possible goal! I just have to remember to start my engine every morning :)

This is something I have to do for myself because I don't want to be unhealthy or unfit. Due to diabetes running on my dad’s side of the family, and recently my brother (who's fit and active) who got it, I have decided that it is truly important for me to get back on track. Watch for my weekly blogs that might even turn in to two to three times a week blogs. I will keep track of my weight loss and progress so that everyone can see where I stand.

Back on track, Injury, and finding your true friends

After so many issues with my diet I have decided to get back on track! Everything started out really well this week. My frist day I ran 2.05 miles and played 2 hours of tennis, while eating healthy all day! I was very proud of myself and got right back to it the next day! When thursday came around and my youth basketball team was short one person I had to scrimmage with my team! With shorter hoops, I thought I would show off in front of these fourth and fifth graders and go for a dunk! As I came down my leg locked up landing all of my weight on that leg!! After seeing my Athletic Trainer, he told me that I most likely tore my meniscus. Tomorrow I have a MRI and might have to have surgery! So once again there is a bit of a road block on my weight loss:(

This injury has really opend my eyes the last week. I needed a ride to school because I had difficulty's driving and the only person to respond to my facebook post was a girl who I hadn't really talked to since sophomore year. It was nice to know that someone out there really cared, unlike my "real" friends who didn't even respond at all or even txt me. Then the same day I needed a ride to the hospital so I could find out my problem....my one best friend who would have taken me is in college at BYU and obviously can't take me, but my other best friend who lives here in Idaho had Student Council that hour, and could have easily taken me....."Find out who your friends are" -Tracy Lawrence......My sister Taylor would have taken me but missed Human Anatomy last time and had a huge disection that day, but was willing to take me right after that class! I couldn't have thanked her enough for having my back.
It's times like these where you find out who really has your back and who's just acting like they have your back. Yes, it's just a small injury, but it's the small things where you need to look around and find out really who are your friends, and who will be there when you need them. It's times like these that I wish my best friend wasn't at college....but I also won't have him around for 2 years when he serves his Mission.

Thanks to Shanna Klahn who went to dinner and ice cream with me the other night...Had the best time of my life and havn't laughed so hard in a long time! Can't wait until BPA SLC when we really tear things up :)

It's the friends you can call up at 4 a.m. that matter.
Marlene Dietrich

Great Start! This weeks goals!

What a great day today was! To start off this day I had to go back and use some of my motivational materials from BPA! When I woke up this morning I jumped real high and out of my bed and scream "WOOO it's gonna be a great day!!" That right there just sets your day to a positive attitude!!  Finally I went through one day going through with what I said I would do. Eating healthy, getting my to do list for the day done, having a little free time, and going to work. When I finished I said what a miracle, I did it without having to be on facebook for 3 hours before starting! I was so proud of myself because it shows me how quickly I can set myself to being on the right path! Like I said in my last blog...I will have weekly goals so here they are! Today having to remember what both my pastor in town and pastor Joel Osteen who I love to listen to said and every time I went to judge or possibly think something mean, I caught myself! I felt so proud that I could stop myself! Tomorrow is going to be even better! Like I said in my last blog...I will have weekly goals so here they are

*November 7th - November 13th*

-Eat healthy (the way I'm supposed to)
-Exercise @ least 2 times
-Play tennis at least once
-Be kind, positive, and motivational towards others
-Be faithful
-Complete 1 senior project essay
-Complete all missing work
-GO see 1 of 2 brothers this weekend

This week will be great and I can't wait to go see 1 of 2 of my best friends/ "Brothers" this weekend! Going to be a great trip! If I accomplish these things this week I can't be mad because I got what I wanted to done!

Becoming the man I want to be

          I feel like I have so much stuff  to do with no time at all, even though that "stuff" isn't all in front of me!!! First off life has been so crazy, trying to lose my weight at a time like this is so difficult,  I have senior project I have to finish in order to graduate, I have to pass my ACT with a decent score, keep my grades up and get all my work done in order to go to college at all, start training for tennis, and still have the time to spend with God and family! What a CRAZY schedule I have ahead of myself! Luckily I have some of the best people in my life to help me with such a wild journey. Eventually becoming like Coach K. Family man, great coach, determined, dedicated, faithful, and most of all happy!

          One of those people is obviously my mother who cooks me healthy breakfast every morning and keeps me from eating bad food. Another person is my dad who keeps me into sports and supports my tennis lessons and all those things that cost money to train! Third is my wonderful grandma Maxine and cousin Lindsay & my mom again, who keep me in my faith and remind me all the time of how important it is to keep Jesus in my life and that with keeping God the center of life surrounded around prayer, praise, and church that I can do anything in life. Another person is my language arts teacher Mrs. Bauer. I have a hard time admitting that I need help and I finally decided the only way to figure a problem out is to ask for it....so I did! Mrs. Bauer is sitting down with me helping with time management and keeping me from always saying yes to everything that comes my way. Always over scheduling myself. The last person that has been a huge impact on me lately is Mrs. Purin. I don't care about anything says about that woman because without her things could be different today. She helped me so much and I couldn't thank that woman enough for everything she has done!

          The reason I write about this today is because after praying today I believe the lord has told me that the only way to move forward is to forget about the past. Let it go! The only way that I can get better grades, faith, weight loss, etc. is to not worry about what I did wrong in the past, but rather pick myself up and move on and keep myself positive and motivated. That's why today I make the goal of "I will be #1 in everything I do!" I will work my butt off to make sure I accomplish what I want. Having weekly goals to make sure I keep up on all things in life! From this day forward no more procrastination, excuses, complaining, or anything that brings myself down as a person!

          I'm Ethan McIlhargey and I'm the best damn person in the world to complete this mission!....& I approve this message! :)

What am I blogging about?

Ok so I know this is a weight loss blog but you will never believe the week I had....After you hear my story I'm sure you'll say I gained 20 lbs and I'm sure I did because you'll never believe me!!

First off we start family dinner off at grandma's this week with her delicious homemade chicken noodle soup and Boston crème pie for desert! Then we decide to go to West side drive in for some delicious finger steaks, fries, and a shake!!! Then we go to Uncle Oren's that week and have lasagna and some amazing desserts! On Thursday we had chicken and all sorts of other stuff from the wonderful church ladies..and finally to finish the week would be with us going back to Uncle Oren's for a chicken fried steak with mash potatoes meal!! YUMM!!!

Good news is I'm back on track these last couple days, with 3 days have lost 4 lbs and am still going! I can't wait to lose all my weight! It has been a tough road trying to lose my weight this year but I am determined to finish it on this homestretch!!! Nothing is going to tie me down this time!

Déjà vu!!!

Well what do you know! It's simply hard to lose weight with everything that goes on! I get to my doctors appointment and I didn't lose or gain...so I guess the plus side is that I stayed the same weight without gaining!!! First grandpa goes to heaven and that is on your plate like crazy for 2 weeks...then your BPA McCall retreat trip....then your fixing up a house for your brother....then homecoming....and then family & a funeral soon to come! How are you supposed to lose weight with so much going on. I still have school, work, and sports on top of all that! I got to push hard this month and really succeed! I know there's people out there counting on me and can't wait to hear how I do!!

**October Goal**

Maintain schedule....get eating proportion on track...lose 10 lbs!!!!!!!!!!!

Why oh why???

How is it that everytime I try to get back and get motivated that something pops in the middle of my path and makes me go a different direction?? Here I was on September 1st ready to go and then I leave for McCall Idaho for my BPA state officer retreat! Let me see, last time I checked in a cabin in the middle of the woods, your probably going to enjoy a smore! Not to mention some amazing food! We had chicken burschetta, potatoes, tacos, fish and chips,etc....Yes there was some fruit and salad, but once you have had all that deliciousness what can you do! All that together is 2 scoops of crazy and a side of coo coo cachou!!!

This is it folks! It's September 11th, 2011 and I have exactly 14 days until my next doctors appoint! I have to lose at least 10 lbs!!! It's going to take some serious dedication in order to basically lose 1 lb/day!!! May all my family and friends..and of course God be with me on this one!!!!!!!! I have got to reach that goal of 200lbs!!!

***Goal Update***

I will weigh 200 lbs by December 19th, 2011!!!!!! GO BIG OR GO HOME!!!!!!

Back in black and ready to go!

I haven't blogged all summer except for the beginning! I've been way off track due to all the fun and it's killing me! Homecoming is at the end of September and i must lose at least 20 lbs in 1 month! I can do it as long as a stay on track everyday!!!!

This is offically my restart button!!!! (Still down 19 lbs tho)

Half Way!!!!!!! Time to kick it in gear!

I have officially lost 30 lbs since I have started my journey!!!!!! I started at 260 and I now weigh in at 230!! I have a total of 30 more lbs to lose to reach my goal weight! I also have lost a few inches off my waist. I'm so proud of myself because this is also the most weight I have ever lost when trying to lose weight! The last record was 20 lbs! Which I gained back, but I can esure you that this will not happen again!! New goal is to lose 15 lbs this month, to be that much closer to my goal!

I have also made my new workout/eating schedule for these next two months. I havn't been losing weight like I was at the beginning. I believe this is becasue i'm too used to the food and workout schedule now! Lets find out what this next month will bring to starting new!

Vacation not a good thing

Boys state, baker city are not helping will be on strict schedule when I get home!

Bad Week but NEW START!!!!

As most of my people know I was at Boy's state this weekend to learn about my possible future in politics! Only problem is, at boys state you get no sleep, exercise, or healthy food! It was a really rough weak and I'm sure I gained weight. It's hard to stay on track but today my weight loss partner who is doing operation moody hottness and is also my cousin brought up a brilliant idea. We will raise money based on how much weight we lose.  The idea is that we will get pledges from people to donate an amount per pound that we lose.  The non-profit we want to raise money for is the Women & Children's Alliance in Boise.  They are constantly in need of clothes, toiletries, and other items that we so often take for granted.  Operation Moody Hotness has always been about beauty from the inside out and women who find themselves in need of help are often beat down both emotionally and physically. Operation ethan Awesomeness is being great person to others even though they may try to knock you down for trying to lose weight and laughing cause your already a big person. At Women & Children's Alliance They have no hope and when children are involved it is just so much harder.  Not everyone has the support and love of family and friends like we have. This is a great idea and motivator to not just keep us on track, but to help those who really need help and support! If you have any ideas or comments please feel free!