Traveling Minstrel

I am out on the road with my brother and we have finished up two of our shows. Last night we played in Austin, Tx and it was a blast. It will be hard to top last night.

As for my physical health, I am SO ready to workout! I have reached the point where I want to go lift everyday and I feel like I am missing opportunities if I don't. I don't know if I will get to do a weigh in on Friday, but whenever I get the chance to, I will post the numbers here.

Thanks for reading. You have no idea how much encouragement and support this gives me just knowing that I have people who care about whats going on in my life. I am truly blessed.

Want to read about whats going on our tour? Jump on over to NixBrothers

On The Road Again...for the first time

Today, my brother (Jason) and I are heading out on a 12 day tour that will take us all over Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. I cannot wait to be out playing our music and seeing how it is received. But much like my trip two weeks ago to Muskogee, Ok for mission trip, I will be tested in my commitment to this challenge. I am going to get my workout for today done in Mansfield and then when we hit the road, I plan on finding any gym that will let me use their facilities and workout at least three times a week while out on the road! Your prayers will be coveted as I take on this huge challenge.

One month update!

Today is SUCH an exciting day. I have been committed to my weight loss and working out for 1 month and I feel incredible.

It may not be a huge difference from where I was 30 days ago, but for me the changes I feel are equally important as the ones I see.

Here are the numbers:
Weight -> Started at 325 Lbs and I am now down to 312 Lbs
Workout -> I am at the gym at least 3 times a week and have increased my Max on Bench, Curls and Lat Pulldowns by at least 10 Lbs each.
Running -> I wasn't able to run for more than a minute at a jogging pace when I started and now I am running 1 mile without a break!

So now, the moment you've been waiting for...The pictures.

Back to reality...

Huge things going on in my life right now! In case you haven't heard, my wife and I are going to have a baby! It is such an incredible blessing and I can't wait to see him/her in 7 months.

The past 8 days I was in Muskogee, Ok for a mission trip and even though it was hard, I stuck with my workout routine (even went an extra day) and diet (for the most part). I was so exhausted but I somehow made it through and lost a few pounds along the way.

Now I am back in my office and working on music for Sunday and I can't wait to finish up so I can go workout in my "home gym". It has become such an incredible time of reflection for me. Between sets and sweating, I find myself in deep thought and searching my heart and I look forward to it everyday.

I am almost to the 1 month mark of doing this and I can't wait to post my 1 month picture update so you can see the results.

Wish me luck!

Friday and Faith

Today is the last full day of mission trip and it is much different feel than any other day here. The work teams are tired and just about tired of each other, but their work sites must be completed and it can be a daunting task. But in the last day, we get to see something incredible, we get to see the groups work harder than they have all week so that they finish what they started.

I know this blog is supposed to be about my weight loss and working out, but this week, it is about something much bigger! I HAVE worked out 4 times this week and I am eating pretty well and I am excited to see what the scale says when I get back.

This week has been such a stretch for me. I have been taken out of my comfort zone. I have had to adjust my schedule and learn to live on little sleep and lots of soreness, but the one thing I have seen this week has inspired me. I have seen a depth and maturity of faith in these students. Every night in worship gets better and when I think it can't be topped, they go to another level. It is such an inspiring thing to be apart of.

I look forward to being back home and back on my regular schedule, but I will miss all that this week has brought. The goal now is to not let the experience stay here, but to bring it back and apply it to my regularly scheduled life.

Its only Wednesday and already...

I have been on mission trip since friday. It was a little bit of an adjustment to my normal schedule, but once Monday rolled around, I was settled in. Normally I workout 3 days a week: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. But this week, it has changed a bit. Johnny Brower (JohnnyBrower.com) and David Alexander (DavidsBucket.com) and I have gone EVERYDAY! Today is day three of the workout cycle this week and I am hitting my Leg and Abs routine normally designated for Fridays. This means that tomorrow, I can do my Monday (Chest and Back) routine and also get to my Tuesday (Bicep and Tricep) routine on Friday! I AM GOING TO BE SORE!

The beauty of mission trip is not only the time to workout each day, but also the fact that I play basketball, volleyball, kickball and swim with the youth here so I get in tons of cardio! I am having such an incredible time here and I may have to take this workout schedule back with me!

God is doing HUGE things here in Muskogee, Ok and it is humbling to be apart of. Our youth kids have poured sweat and blood into their worksites and it is going to have an eternal impact. One of the thoughts I shared last night in worship was this:

We didn't come on mission trip because we are in love with our Savior, We came because HE IS IN LOVE WITH US and that love has birthed the desire to do something bigger than ourselves! So where ever you are and whatever you're doing, know that the desire for it all stems from a God who is crazy in love with you!

Be Blessed today!

An Okie from Muskogee.

This week, I am with 125 youth and adults in Muskogee, Ok for mission trip. Yesterday we started our work week here but it got cut short by rain. Our kids will be doing everything from building wheel chair ramps, re-siding houses to roofing and painting. It is such a blessing to see them do something bigger than themselves.

Now, as for my workout routine...it has not been interrupted yet! Johnny and I found an aquatic center in town with a nice workout facility and we started our weeks workouts strong. I found myself pushing harder than normal and enjoying the feeling of pushing myself beyond what was comfortable.

It may be about working out and getting back to healthy, but it applies in almost every situation, WHEN WE PUSH OURSELVES BEYOND WHAT IS COMFORTABLE, WE GROW!

Yesterdays Workout:

Muscle Groups Worked Chest and Back

Running 1.6 Miles -> 450 Calories Burned!

I feel fantastic and I am so happy I decided to take this step and I encourage you to join me.

Mission Trip

The next week of my life is going to be a crazy, hectic test of my commitment to this challenge. I am leaving for Muskogee, Ok for First Methodist Mansfield's High School mission trip. It is going to be a week full of work and crazy hours and I am going to have to fit time in for working out and keeping an eye on what I am eating, but I am up to the challenge.

I will post pictures of our work in Muskogee as the week progresses.

Todays Workout!

Two posts in one day, I'm feeling extra articulate today. I just finished up my workout for the day and it was a doozy. I did my normal Chest/Back workout routine and then added in a little something extra to "put the cherry on top" so-to-speak. Curious? I'll fill you in.

Normal Workout Routine (Chest/Back):

1. Bench Press
2. Lat Pulldowns
3. Incline Bench Press
4. Seated Rows
5. Decline Bench Press
6. Deltoid Flys
7. Bench Press
8. Standing Rows

Then to top it off...I finished with something known as "The Trifecta"
-Light weight (50-60 Lbs) on a barbell
-Quick repititions (burnouts)
-15 Wide Grip Bench Press
-15 Normal Grip Bench Press
-15 Close Grip Bench Press
-All done in succession with NO break!

It is an incredible way to finish off a chest session.

Running - 2.2 Miles -> 415 Calories Burned

DO SOMETHING BIG!

Fridays Workout

I really am getting into the swing of my running! It is becoming less and less painful and more and more enjoyable. On friday I killed my legs and abs and then headed to the running portion of my workout.

I ran 2 miles and burned 400 calories!

I have decided to sporadically give ya'll an idea of my typical diet for the day. So, for Monday (June 7th)

Breakfast - Oatmeal Squares Cereal
Lunch - 5 oz can of Tuna and 12 oz can of collared greens
DInner - Grilled chicken and steamed veggies

Total Caloric Intake for the Day - Less than 1,200 Calories!

Encouragement...the best workout supplement!

This morning at church, right before we started worship, I was sitting outside of the Sanctuary waiting to go plug in and get ready when it happened. Someone came up to me and remarked on how they were rooting for me and reading my blog! It was an incredible feeling knowing that people who don't know me more than their worship leader are standing behind me and encouraging me to stick with what I have started! What a blessing!

I felt at that moment that what I am doing for myself is bigger than just me! I feel like not only I being supported by others, but that I am the catalyst to someone else! It is truly an awesome thing!

So, for those of you who read often and those who have yet to read, DO SOMETHING BIG! Don't settle for what is easy. Get out and do something bigger than yourself.

Two Weeks In!

Here I sit before my last workout of week 2! I am waiting for my N.O Fury to kick in and then it is off to 24 Hour Fitness to put myself through a rigorous Leg and Ab workout. I weighed myself today and here is where I stand after 2 weeks (11 days since the start of my first time at the gym):

I am down from 325 to 318 after week one,
I am down from 318 to 315 after week two!

Although I only lost 3 pounds this week, I feel great!

To be honest, if I kept losing 7 pounds a week, it would be moderately unhealthy. I am happy that I am seeing results, not only in how I look, but also in how I feel. I have been energized and alert more than ever. I am going to make a few more adjustments for this next week and see what results I get. Curious as to those changes? Let me fill you in:

Starting monday, June 7th:

Diet Changes - NO bread or products that contain gluten
Workout Improvements - Increase weightlifting time by 20 minutes and add in exercises to increase flexibility and range of motion.

Thats all for now, time to hit the gym. Pray for my legs and abs tomorrow morning!

Shakin' and Bakin'

Today,I finished up my morning and afternoon responsibilities at church and then headed to work out. Then, I did something I have never done before! Before I started my workout, I took my first workout supplement...and good Lord was it awesome. The supplement is "N.O Fury" and it is essentially jet fuel for working out. The directions said to take it 30-45 minute before working out and so I gave myself about 35 minutes before I started working out. After about 10 minutes of having this delicious red liquid in my system, I was ready to run through a brick wall. It was an incredible feeling and I was able to work out a lot harder for a lot longer. After my workout, I finished with a 2 mile run which felt like a breeze with all the pent up energy I had left-over. It is such an awesome feeling to know I am getting fit and healthy. I can't wait to see myself in 6 months.

Workout Log (Wednesday, June 2nd)

Muscle Group(s) - Arms

Here is a basic run down of what I did (in case you are interested).

1. Bicep Curls
2. Tricep extensions
3. Reverse Bicep Curls
4. Negatives (Triceps)
5. Cable Curls
6. Skull Crushers
7. Bicep Burnouts
8. Tricep Burnouts

Running - 2 Miles -> 400 calories burned!

I can't wait for friday! I will do my weekly weigh in and see how much I lost this week.

SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE!

Making Mondays Matter!

Memorial Day...Its a day in which we set aside to remember those who have laid down their life in service to their country. And yet, somehow, it has become a holiday where we substitute gratitude for a chair by the pool and patriotism for a charcoal grill lined with various meats. But what should it really be about? How do we make Mondays matter even when it does not require some of us to be in the office? That was the question I pondered yesterday. The answer I found was maybe a little out of the ordinary.

I didn't go visit a war memorial, I didn't sing patriotic songs (I don't think), but I did my best to not waste the time given to me! It would have been easy to sleep in, light the grill, lounge by the pool and maybe try to squeeze a round of golf in before the days end, but it would have been taking the freedom I have for granted. So instead I got up early, went and took care of chores and responsibilities I had been putting off, worked out and spent time with my wife. And at the end of the day, I felt so fulfilled.

Take time to (re)evaluate where your time is spent! Take time to do something that will have an impact outside of the 24 hour span you are in!


Workout Log from May 31:

Monday: Muscle Group(s) - Chest and Back
Running - 1.9 Miles -> 385 Calories Burned

I cannot wait to see the results from this weeks workouts! I picked up a multi-vitamin and also a weight loss supplement and I am anxious to see the effects of both!