Well it is official. My first fight will be July 23rd just outside Chillicothe, MO. Going to be at Good Time Charlies. The event is called Good Time Productions presents Barn Yard Brawls. If you need a ticket get in touch with me as I now have them. Tickets are $25 for General Admission and $45 for a table. Price of the ticket includes 15-20 fights and a live band afterwards.
For those of you who have been following these blogs you know this 'idea' started back in January. Actually the idea began well before that but I finally started the process of training and weight loss January 8th or 9th. I originally weighed in at 217 lbs at that time. On July 23rd I will enter the cage at or below 170 lbs. I have been weighing in this past week and again today under 175 so will have no problem making my weight.
Many people have asked even after reading my blogs---how did you do it? Most people say I can't diet, I don't have time, I don't like those foods, I can't give up my Coca-Cola. I say BS. The only thing I have had differently than most people is time. For those that have been reading you know I have been unemployed but the time was never an issue before. It's a choice. Simply put thats all it is. Nothing more.
It's a choice? Yes it most definitely is. It's a choice to pull through McDonalds. It's a choice to have that 1 more helping during your daily meals. And yes it most definitely is a choice to swing through Bogeys and get that ice cream shake. I love ice cream and I have had cravings for it for sure but I have found ways around my cravings. I use to eat pop tarts quite frequently in the morning. A single pop tart had 200 calories in it and tons of sugar and carbs. Most people eat 2 because there are 2 in the package. 400 calories twice the sugar and carbs and you haven't even had a drink yet. I no longer eat pop tarts except on a very rare occasion. I have replace those with wheat toast and reduced sugar jelly. Some of you are already saying reduced sugar? Yes and trust me you can't tell the difference. If I took the label off of it you would not know. The wheat toast is 50 cal/slice. The jelly is 20 cal/ts. I could eat 6 pieces of toast and jelly almost in comparison to the 2 pop tarts. However I don't. I eat 1-2 pieces and drink a protein shake most days but for those days you were really starving you could eat more. Thats breakfast. Not everyday though. There are many other healthy things you can eat. Way better than any fast food or convenience store snack. Its just a matter of having it there when you want it. I do like Subway and have changed my sandwich there to be just as big but less calories and fat. 6"turkey or turkey and ham does it everytime for me. Loaded with vegetables and spicy mustard and vinegar. Can't go wrong. And less than 6 grams of fat they say. Compare that to Chicken McNuggets and fries!!! I know because I ate that last Friday. The 2 combined had over 50 grams of fat and approximately 900 calories in 1 meal. That did not include the Sweet Tea I rewarded myself with. Well none of it was really a reward when you think about how long you have to work out to burn it all off. Without eating out you can also save calories eating a turkey sandwich at home. Way cheaper and it just taste better. I eat when I am hungry, I just eat things that are healthier than I use to. I keep fruit, sliced turkey and bread around almost all the time. With those things I always have something healthy to eat with very little work. However when you don't keep the healthy things around is when you swing through Bogeys and get that shake!!! Trust me I know.
So that is pretty much a jumbled paragraph above but it tells the way I have changed my eating habits. I still occasionly make MISTAKES like last Friday but occasionly won't kill you. Eat that much fat and calories at every meal and I will be attending your funeral before long.
Obviously I workout quite a bit as well. However I now only workout about 1 hour a day most days. Think about how often you sit down flip on the tv and then say you don't have time to do it. I have been told you can do what I have done with just 30 minutes a day. It may take longer but 30 minutes a day can be during a lunch break, right after work, right before bed. Any 30 minutes you can find or exchange for the couch time will work. I have changed my workout many times since I started in January and still continue to lose weight and stay motivated so I know you can to!!! Now get up off that couch, dump that calorie induced soda down the drain and pull your kids around the block in their wagon! Just do it!
OUT,
Darren
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Getting closer
Hello friends!
Today I am going to write a little more about me as well as a bit about a couple other people who have had the 'BUG'. When I say 'BUG' I mean the let’s get my butt off the couch and get in shape bug.
Although he doesn't know this yet, I will be asking my brother Denny to write a short blog for me to post here of how and why he chose to 'GET FIT'. Also about what kept him motivated. A friend of mine whom also worked for me at one point also has over the last couple months been bit by the 'BUG' and has been making great progress towards her fitness goals. Michele just posted I believe today or yesterday that she has set a goal of running her 1st 5k within the next year. Awesome work Michele and keep it up. I have also (already) asked Michele to write up her workout info, goals and what motivates her to add here. You will find all 3 of us have completely different reasons, workouts and motivations but nonetheless it is working for all 3 of us. Hopefully through reading one of our stories it will give you reason to find your own motivations and get the 'BUG'. Keep an eye out for these stories soon from Denny and Michele.
So, you’re reading my blog and you just read that I'm going to tell you more about me. You’re thinking oh Lord; I already know more than I want to. Maybe you’re thinking about the time I got beat senseless by a band of brothers in front of the Knights Hall, or the New Years Eve party on McVey St, or maybe even the gunshots at the Wing Ding. Well I'm not here to tell those stories. I'm here to talk about the Darren who is a single dad. The Darren who has been through heartbreak. The Darren who had everything and nothing at the same time. Hmmmm never heard these stories while sitting around drinking the brews?
Well here goes. So I am 37 yo single dad to the greatest little man on Earth in my eyes. I have been married, divorced, engaged, and dumped. That takes a toll on a man or even a woman for that matter. I have forgiven those people but found it hard to forgive myself. I worked for a company I loved and moved away from everything I knew for my job. I made great money for a guy with only a high school diploma. My company was bought by a larger company and like all larger companies do after buying smaller companies-they started closing stores, letting loyal employees go and turning the work over to 3rd parties. Just in the last few weeks my original store in Chillicothe, MO where I started was told there store would be closing at the end of the month. That store had been there for 20+ years and trust me when I say it was always busy. Well after the merger, I lost my love for the job I had. My management changed from the management I so wanted to work for when I came to Kansas to management that had no clue what my employees names were little lone that cared what there sales #'s were. I hope that has changed for the people who got to stay. Anyways during that time I didn't want to be there, I was going through my engagement breakup and other than my son had nothing that I loved anymore except for family and friends. On September 30th, 2010 I locked the door for the last time at a job I once loved that I no longer desired to be there. At this time I was at the heaviest weight I have ever been in my life.
So with the above paragraph or book however you look at it on September 30th, I became jobless, had just ended my sons custody case, was way overweight and away from home. Out of those things I am only still jobless!!! Hutchinson is home and I am even coming to enjoy that. Hutchinson is my son’s home therefore it is mine as well. I have shed 40+ pounds, can ride a bike farther than the driveway and am getting close to my high school physical condition. That is as close as I can for being 20 years older.
Getting to where I am today from where I was September 30th, 2010 has not been easy. There have been times I wanted to give up, or sit on the couch instead of head to the gym or jump on the bike. There were times I thought I would never reach my goal. There were times I just wanted to grab that Big Mac and say $@#% it. Every time I thought about quitting I remembered some words my parents, Denny, and Coach Long said to me when I wanted to quit wrestling my senior year of high school. I also thought about my son and how I would explain to him how I had set a goal and gave up after getting so close to attaining the goal. How could I ever expect him to not quit if I set that standard for him.
I will not sit here and tell anyone it is easy to lose weight. It is hard work but the reward is well worth the hard work and time spent in the gym, on the bike, running, walking or whatever you do to lose your weight and get fit. For me I had to set goals and have rewards for myself along the way. One of my rewards was a new pair of shoes. It was all the motivation I needed to get to my next weight goal. Workout partners are a great thing to have as well. I had a regular workout partner for about the first month or so. After that I have primarily done all my workouts alone. It is much easier though when you have that other person who counts on you to be there as well as you count on them.
For those of you who have kept up with my blogs you know the end result to my weight loss goals is to fight at least one MMA fight. I plan to fight at 170 lbs. Right now I have a fight scheduled for July 23rd, however I am working through some issues with that. I will let you all know as I know more in regards to that.
Thanks for reading and stay tuned!
Darren
Today I am going to write a little more about me as well as a bit about a couple other people who have had the 'BUG'. When I say 'BUG' I mean the let’s get my butt off the couch and get in shape bug.
Although he doesn't know this yet, I will be asking my brother Denny to write a short blog for me to post here of how and why he chose to 'GET FIT'. Also about what kept him motivated. A friend of mine whom also worked for me at one point also has over the last couple months been bit by the 'BUG' and has been making great progress towards her fitness goals. Michele just posted I believe today or yesterday that she has set a goal of running her 1st 5k within the next year. Awesome work Michele and keep it up. I have also (already) asked Michele to write up her workout info, goals and what motivates her to add here. You will find all 3 of us have completely different reasons, workouts and motivations but nonetheless it is working for all 3 of us. Hopefully through reading one of our stories it will give you reason to find your own motivations and get the 'BUG'. Keep an eye out for these stories soon from Denny and Michele.
So, you’re reading my blog and you just read that I'm going to tell you more about me. You’re thinking oh Lord; I already know more than I want to. Maybe you’re thinking about the time I got beat senseless by a band of brothers in front of the Knights Hall, or the New Years Eve party on McVey St, or maybe even the gunshots at the Wing Ding. Well I'm not here to tell those stories. I'm here to talk about the Darren who is a single dad. The Darren who has been through heartbreak. The Darren who had everything and nothing at the same time. Hmmmm never heard these stories while sitting around drinking the brews?
Well here goes. So I am 37 yo single dad to the greatest little man on Earth in my eyes. I have been married, divorced, engaged, and dumped. That takes a toll on a man or even a woman for that matter. I have forgiven those people but found it hard to forgive myself. I worked for a company I loved and moved away from everything I knew for my job. I made great money for a guy with only a high school diploma. My company was bought by a larger company and like all larger companies do after buying smaller companies-they started closing stores, letting loyal employees go and turning the work over to 3rd parties. Just in the last few weeks my original store in Chillicothe, MO where I started was told there store would be closing at the end of the month. That store had been there for 20+ years and trust me when I say it was always busy. Well after the merger, I lost my love for the job I had. My management changed from the management I so wanted to work for when I came to Kansas to management that had no clue what my employees names were little lone that cared what there sales #'s were. I hope that has changed for the people who got to stay. Anyways during that time I didn't want to be there, I was going through my engagement breakup and other than my son had nothing that I loved anymore except for family and friends. On September 30th, 2010 I locked the door for the last time at a job I once loved that I no longer desired to be there. At this time I was at the heaviest weight I have ever been in my life.
So with the above paragraph or book however you look at it on September 30th, I became jobless, had just ended my sons custody case, was way overweight and away from home. Out of those things I am only still jobless!!! Hutchinson is home and I am even coming to enjoy that. Hutchinson is my son’s home therefore it is mine as well. I have shed 40+ pounds, can ride a bike farther than the driveway and am getting close to my high school physical condition. That is as close as I can for being 20 years older.
Getting to where I am today from where I was September 30th, 2010 has not been easy. There have been times I wanted to give up, or sit on the couch instead of head to the gym or jump on the bike. There were times I thought I would never reach my goal. There were times I just wanted to grab that Big Mac and say $@#% it. Every time I thought about quitting I remembered some words my parents, Denny, and Coach Long said to me when I wanted to quit wrestling my senior year of high school. I also thought about my son and how I would explain to him how I had set a goal and gave up after getting so close to attaining the goal. How could I ever expect him to not quit if I set that standard for him.
I will not sit here and tell anyone it is easy to lose weight. It is hard work but the reward is well worth the hard work and time spent in the gym, on the bike, running, walking or whatever you do to lose your weight and get fit. For me I had to set goals and have rewards for myself along the way. One of my rewards was a new pair of shoes. It was all the motivation I needed to get to my next weight goal. Workout partners are a great thing to have as well. I had a regular workout partner for about the first month or so. After that I have primarily done all my workouts alone. It is much easier though when you have that other person who counts on you to be there as well as you count on them.
For those of you who have kept up with my blogs you know the end result to my weight loss goals is to fight at least one MMA fight. I plan to fight at 170 lbs. Right now I have a fight scheduled for July 23rd, however I am working through some issues with that. I will let you all know as I know more in regards to that.
Thanks for reading and stay tuned!
Darren
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
What a long Holiday weekend
Hello everyone!
Hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. I had the opportunity to get away and do some camping and boating over the holiday weekend. Was planning on staying until Monday but came home on Sunday evening due to weather and high winds.
On Friday morning I found out that my Uncle Harry had passed away, so I made the trip to Kansas City, MO for his funeral yesterday. This was the 4th of my mothers siblings to pass. Although I made the trip for reasons I would rather not have, I did enjoy spending sometime with my family. Dylan again took to PaPa real quick. Derek, Marcy, Dylan and I spent some time in Big L and Tracy's pool. Kelley and I then went for a few drinks that evening and solved half the worlds problems--I think. Today Dylan and I hit the road for Hutchinson and was home by early afternoon.
I always feel terrible when Dylan and I have to leave to come back home. When I moved to Kansas it was intended to be temporary--however after Dylan entered my life Kansas has become my home. My mom is not really OK with us being so far away but she understands my commitment to my son and I'm sure would ground me for life if I did anything else differently.
So, July 23rd looks like it will be the big day. If all works out I will be making my 1st appearance in a MMA ring. Training had been going well until today when the gym owner 'kicked' us out again. Tomorrow I will be looking for a new place to train as I can't count on this gym. The last couple weeks I had got in some really good workouts and was beginning to build some stamina in the ring. Hopefully I can find a place to train and keep building on that.
Well I need to get but I will keep you all posted on whats going on.
Darren
Hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. I had the opportunity to get away and do some camping and boating over the holiday weekend. Was planning on staying until Monday but came home on Sunday evening due to weather and high winds.
On Friday morning I found out that my Uncle Harry had passed away, so I made the trip to Kansas City, MO for his funeral yesterday. This was the 4th of my mothers siblings to pass. Although I made the trip for reasons I would rather not have, I did enjoy spending sometime with my family. Dylan again took to PaPa real quick. Derek, Marcy, Dylan and I spent some time in Big L and Tracy's pool. Kelley and I then went for a few drinks that evening and solved half the worlds problems--I think. Today Dylan and I hit the road for Hutchinson and was home by early afternoon.
I always feel terrible when Dylan and I have to leave to come back home. When I moved to Kansas it was intended to be temporary--however after Dylan entered my life Kansas has become my home. My mom is not really OK with us being so far away but she understands my commitment to my son and I'm sure would ground me for life if I did anything else differently.
So, July 23rd looks like it will be the big day. If all works out I will be making my 1st appearance in a MMA ring. Training had been going well until today when the gym owner 'kicked' us out again. Tomorrow I will be looking for a new place to train as I can't count on this gym. The last couple weeks I had got in some really good workouts and was beginning to build some stamina in the ring. Hopefully I can find a place to train and keep building on that.
Well I need to get but I will keep you all posted on whats going on.
Darren
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