I am back...and feeling GREAT!!!

OK...So it's been a while...I know...and I am disappointed in myself for not keeping up with the blog like I promised myself, and you. However, things are quieting down now...and I am back on track to give you more updates on myself (and some more laughs) to get you through your blog reading. Enjoy...sit back...relax...drink a cold one (water that is!!!) and here's an update on what I have been up too.

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Well...I think I need to do a picture update first of myself. That's right, it's time for you to compare a picture of me from a month ago to a picture from today. 

Oh...and please excuse the "whiteness". I think the Sun is allergic to...ME. No question about it. I look like someone dusted me off in white flour, painted me in white, and then put me in a padded dark room for three weeks. Well, sometimes I may need that padded room...but here's the pictures...

BEFORE (this picture was taken at the beginning of June)

NOW (as of July 11th, 2011)

Now...what do I notice from this picture?

#1 - WHY AM I LOOKING DOWN AT MY FEET?!?!

#2 - I can definitely notice the difference in my stomach...and what I like to call my "back shelf". Don't know what a "back shelf" is? It's when you have enough of an overhang on your back that you can stand your yard sale knick-knacks on top of it. And right now...I can't do that!

Now...something you can't notice from this picture? I am down a whole size in my jean/pant selections. It feels good to put old Size 36 shorts on this Summer and actually have them fit me!! 

Now...if I could only work on that tan...

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What else have I been up to? Well on the Morning Show we read that Kenny Chesney can now do 300 pushups in 10 minutes. I figured...heck...if he can do it, so can't I! Right???

Here's the video of me after I got to #50...to my final number...all in six minutes.

How many push ups can you do?

Yup...thats me. In all my...um...glory. Yes, that's what you can call it.

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JUSTIN TYLER'S RECIPE OF THE DAY

Big thanks to "Linda's Low Carb Menus" for this recipe. It might look unhealthy...but let me tell you it was AWESOME. Check out this picture...

Now...check out the recipe...

ITALIAN CASSEROLE
1 pound ground beef
1/2 pound Italian sausage
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons onion, chopped
1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
8 ounce can tomato sauce
Salt, to taste
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning, or to taste
4 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded, 1 cup
Topping:
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup freshly shredded parmesan cheese *
4 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded, 1 cup
Brown the meats along with the garlic, onions and mushrooms; season with a little salt and pepper. Drain fat; stir in the remaining ingredients. Adjust the seasoning if necessary and put in a greased 7x11" baking dish.
Combine the topping ingredients and spoon over the surface of the meat mixture. Spread evenly with a spatula. Bake at 350º about 40 minutes until the topping is nicely browned.

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MOTIVATIONAL VIDEO OF THE DAY

I think we all need to watch this videos now and again to keep us moving. I know I need to. Check it out...and keep pushing forward. And join me in this fight to eat healthy. I know I can do it. And I know you can do it too.

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That's it for this week! Don't forget to say hello to my friends Dr. Carrie and Dr. Court at the Vreeland Clinic and ask them how you can be part of the program that I am on. It's totally worth the time and effort you will put into it.

Also big thanks to Larry Ruffing at the CCBA and Sterns Quality Produce who have the BEST TASTING and BEST PRICED produce in the region. Stop by and see them in White River Junction!

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Until tomorrow...and yes I am keeping up with it...

HASTA MANANA!!

I'm in radio...and today I was SPEECHLESS????

So I've been trying to think all day about what the subject of today's blog was going to be...

Do I write about how since my first weigh-in (where I weighed 238 lbs) I have lost almost 14 lbs (I now sit at 224 lbs)?? (GO ME! GO ME! GO ME!)

Nope...that's not a good subject. My goal wasn't to lose 14 lbs by June 15th. My goal is to be healthier and stronger (and possibly lose 60 lbs) by the time we leave for Florida on September 28th, which is the day of my final weigh-in.

Do I write about what I feel/see different about myself?

As much as I can see the changes in myself (the belly is slowly shrinking), the point of this blog isn't to be all about ME. It's to elaborate on my progress so everyone else can see just how do-able it is. You really don't think it is do you? You are probable in the same rut that I was almost a month ago. Well, here are some milestones that I have hit that I know you can too.

1.) Close to one month without soda.

Doesn't sound like a big deal to you? Believe me...it is. This is the longest that I have been without a drop of soda since 2004. My attitude towards soda used to be like trying to take cake from the fat kid at Dodge Ball. You could try to convince me as much as you wanted too. But guess what? I wouldn't budge. I wanted my soda and I wanted it now!!

2.) I'm actually...WORKING OUT!!

And after doing TRX three times in the past week...I can actually say that I am doing it well. Who would've thought that was possible??? NOT ME!!! One month ago, my form of exercise was carrying the laundry up and down the stairs. You lose 20 calories doing it. That can burn off half the tootsie roll from the night before! 

And the list goes on and on...

Once again...this blog isn't just my "release" to get my thoughts to paper. It's to show you how I overcame my vices so you know that it is possible. And believe me...

It is.

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Justin's Recipe of the Blog

All I can say about this recipe is YUM!!! Try it out and let me know what you think. I truly believe your entire family would love it. (This recipe is courtesy of "Taste of Home" Online.)

BACON WRAPPED GREEN BEANS

Ingredients

• 3/4 pound fresh green beans
• 4 bacon strips
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/8 teaspoon soy sauce

Directions

• Place beans in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Cook, uncovered, for 8 minutes or until crisp-tender. Meanwhile, in a skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until cooked but not crisp, about 3 minutes. Remove to paper towels.
• Drain beans; place about 12 beans on each bacon strip. Wrap bacon around beans and secure with a toothpick. Place on an ungreased baking sheet.
• In a small bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar, garlic salt and soy sauce; brush over bundles. Bake at 400° for 10-15 minutes or until bacon is crisp. Yield: 4 servings.

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Here's a video I caught this morning when I was on the radio. This...is...crazy. This is how much sugar the Los Angeles School District takes in for sugar...FROM THEIR FLAVORED MILK...ON A WEEKLY BASIS!!!!

No wonder our kids can sometimes be hopped up on something at the end of the day...

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Lastly...call the Vreeland Clinic today and take advantage of the special from the program that I am working with right now. IT WORKS...and Dr. Court and Dr. Carrie are AWESOME! This is very much worth the effort and price. Join me on this venture so we can share some great results together at the end!!

More blogs to come this week!

Until then...Hasta de la manana!!!

When I was MUCH YOUNGER...

I wanted to be a JUGGLER...

Ah yes...the crowds...

the FANFARE...

and being able to have a Sam Adams with the "Bearded Lady"...

Well, maybe I really didn't want to go that far...although I bet she can put down a few. But when I was a kid, I had a different definition of "JUGGLING" than what I do now. In 2011, this is what I read the definition of "JUGGLING" to be...

Juggling: (present participle of Juggle) To try to handle daily life (job, family, personal time, housechores, eating) without having a personal strait jacket delivered to my house by the UPS man.

I think we can all agree, as adults, that all of us run into these struggles on a daily basis. If you don't...well then kudos to you and let me shine up your award. However, most of us aren't the trained professional jugglers that we envisioned ourselves to be when we were 10 years old. Before I started my diet, I had the issue of "FOOD JUGGLING". What is that you say? Well, these were my favorite phrases before I hit the "Road to Svelteness"...

"I don't really need to eat breakfast. I'll make up for it at lunch time..."

"I need to work through lunch today. Too many things to get done..."

"Awesome...I'm home and the food in my cabinets are screaming GET IN MY BELLY since I skipped all my other meals..."

Do these phrases above sound familiar to you? Since I started my dieting, I have learned just how much better I feel when I eat the meals that I am supposed to eat. How simple is it? It's this simple...

EAT EVERY THREE HOURS...

AND I MUST HAVE A PROTEIN ALONG WITH A VEGETABLE AND/OR A SERVING OF FRUIT

I know what you are saying right now...THREE HOURS?? REALLY??

Why yes my fellow student. Three hours. I thought the same thing when I heard of this. How could someone eat every three hours and still lose weight? Easy. My stomach now isn't craving chips...cookies...etc because I am continuously feeding myself filling food throughout the day. And the best part of it? It's food that is GOOD  for me!

I can now say that I have perfected one "slice of the juggling pie" because I am not skipping out on the meals that are important to me. Believe me, once you conquer this piece of the pie...your art of "food juggling" starts to go to the wayside.

Now...if I can only juggle on what is the best way of mowing my 1 acre lawn...with the push mower...every weekend...

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Now...I am a SAP when it comes to motivational videos. But here is the best part of them.

IT PUTS OUR LIVES IN PERSPECTIVE...

and makes you realize you can accomplish anything that you want.

Check out this video about a certain motivational speaker who will bring a tear to your eyes. You'll need the Kleenex for this one. Or maybe some Angel Soft.

Don't think you can accomplish the weight loss goals you have set for yourself? Believe me when I say...I know YOU can. Best part of it? We're in this together and we'll conquer eating healthier and losing weight together.

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Lastly...the "Jell-O Jiggler" came back on Friday...with a VENGEANCE. You see, I had another "TRX Class" at the CCBA in Lebanon on Friday.

And at points I wanted to scream....MMMMMMMMOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMM!!!

But at the end of it, it felt awesome. I can definitely feel the workout in my core and arms this week. More to come this week...and if you want to sign up for a class call the CCBA for the details. It's well worth it!!

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That's it for today! I'll be checking in with Dr. Carrie and Dr. Cort from the Vreeland Clinic on Monday morning, and I'll post the audio from that interview here on the blog Monday.

If you want to be part of this journey that I am on...it's very easy for you to be part of it! Call the Vreeland Clinic this week for a special deal they are doing this Summer for those of you who want to join. Dr. Carrie and Dr. Cort are AWESOME and there for you when you need it. Take advantage of this deal...you definitely won't regret it.

Until tomorrow...Hasta de la manana...and don't let the bed bugs bite...

Conquering your biggest enemy...THE TOMATO...

See the picture below?

In my 31 years of eating food, the TOMATO has been the one food that I have had the toughest time stomaching. I know...to some of you, you are reading this blog and screaming...WEIRDO!!!!

My thoughts on tomatoes have always been the same...

MUSHY...

GUSHY...

ALL AROUND...BLAH...

When I used to eat a tomato, I looked like Macaulay Culkin from "Home Alone".

Yup...that would be the face I make. Wow, actually when I was a kid I looked like Macaulay Culkin. Him and I were alike. Well...minus the money...the Hollywood career...the box office killing movies...the...anyways, I get sidetracked.

However, I have come to appreciate the taste of a tomato. As long as you buy it fresh...and buy the right tomatoes...they taste AWESOME. And I'm actually eating them with...get this...SALAD. That's right...ME. I am eating salad almost on a regular basis.

So today, I found a recipe that is good for me...and utilizes tomatoes as the main ingredient. I'll be making this recipe this weekend. How about you join me in this venture and try it as well and share your thoughts. Here it is...

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"Grilled Tomatoes Recipe" (VERY creative name...this person must be a marketer)

Ingredients

• 2 firm, ripe tomatoes (not overly ripe or they will fall apart when you grill them), cut in half around the middle
• Olive oil
• Kosher salt (or fleur de sel if you can get it)
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 4 basil leaves, thinly sliced (roll them up like a cigar and then slice them to make nice thin slices)

1. Standing over a sink, use your fingers to gently dislodge and remove the watery pulp and seeds. (Although the seeds and pulp contain a lot of flavor, when you grill the tomatoes they are going to be lost anyway.)

2. Preheat your grill on high heat for direct grilling. Use a grill basket or fine grill grate if you can, it will make it much easier to work with the tomatoes (or any other vegetables you grill). Season the tomatoes with salt and pepper. Brush the cut side of the tomatoes with olive oil. Brush the grill grate or grill pan with olive oil. Place the tomatoes, cut side down on the grill surface. Cover the grill and let cook for about 4 minutes. (Check after 2 minutes.) Use a metal spatula to lift tomatoes off of the grill for serving.

3. Place on a serving dish, cut side up. Drizzle a little more olive oil on the tomatoes. Sprinkle with just a little more salt and pepper. Sprinkle with thinly sliced basil.
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Sounds easy right? I KNOW. Even I could do it.

Even this lady could do it...

The moral of the "TOMATO" story? You don't need Batman...Superman...or even Wonderdog to conquer your enemies. All you need is the drive and the determination to get it done, and you can conquer your BIGGEST enemy in the world.

Now, if I could only use that determination to conquer the bills I get in the mail each month.

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Lastly in today's blog, I want to send a HUGE GOOD JOB to my son Austin who conquered his "own enemy" last night at his minor league baseball game.

As adults, we watch our kids play baseball and wonder why they could be scared of a ball hurtling toward them at 50-60 MPH. Heck, I have even wondered that myself watching him this season as he would jump out of the batters box with every pitch thrown to him. After talking with him in the dugout last night, something hit me as his parent. Of course I won't be nervous about a 50 MPH fastball hurtling toward me. I am 5'8"...over 200 lbs...and have had my share of bruises. He's 7 years old...4 feet tall...and 50 MPH to him is FAST. Last night however, he conquered his enemy in baseball.

Five straight pitches...

All hurtling toward him at a great speed...

And he never moved an inch...

As I said in my first blog, I'm not only losing weight and becoming healthy for myself...but also for my wife and kids. I want to be able to keep up with my kids whether I am 35...40...45 years old. I want to be able to be able to take a bike ride with my kids without being out of breath.

And the smile Austin made last night at that baseball game...and it was PRICELESS...I want to be able to see that smile for years to come from all of my kids, and my grandkids down the line.

(I warned you in the first blog there could be a tear shed at some points in this blog. Don't say I didn't warn you!! By the way...your fly is down.)

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Lastly...call my friends Dr. Cort and Dr. Carrie at the Vreeland Clinic today to join in the program that I am on! It's simple, and they make you very comfortable in reaching your goals. They have a three month special going on right now...so don't miss out on this chance. I promise you...it's worth it.

That's it for today! We'll chat again tomorrow.

Hasta De La Manana!



Bill Cosby would be proud of my "Jell-o Jigglers"...DAY 2

So...have you wondered what this green piece of GELATINOUS goo thinks (if of course...it had a mind) when it starts to jiggle on your Thanksgiving table?

Well...GUESS WHAT???

I now know...after working out with my Personal Trainer, Larry Ruffing, at the CCBA in Lebanon for the first time. Now, I knew this wasn't going to be a piece of cake (or jell-o). But I don't think I have worked out that hard since my high school days. Here's a breakdown of what I did today to start it off...

9:55am - 10am: Warm-up on the bicycle 

10:00am - 10:45am: Started on the TRX Equipment.

Let me tell you something...TRX is a WORKOUT. If you haven't tried this before, and the gym you go to has it, give it a try as you won't forget the work it does on your entire body. Granted...your body feels like it's been through the ringer and back. And...even 9 hours later...your legs feel like...

You are one of the "WEEBLE WOBBLES"...but the big difference is that anytime, you actually feel like you're going to FAAAAALLLLLLLLLL!!

Seriously though...TRX is AWESOME and a big thank you to Larry Ruffing for introducing it to me today. See the pic above? That's what I looked like today. Well...minus the sculpted body...the $200 workout shows...and...well...I do have hair...

10:45 - 11:30: Treadmill for 45 minutes

Yup...that was my day. Was it painful at times? Yup...I won't deny it. Were my legs shaking at the end (although I found out that is a good thing). Well...of course. But when you haven't been a regular exerciser in the past few years, you forget how good it feels to get a good workout in.

Dinner tonight? Well...let's just say it wasn't the best meal on the planet. I didn't take a picture of the "edible creation" I made tonight, but let me show you what it SHOULD'VE looked like...

Looks good right? Well...thanks. But place the picture above in your head, and imagine the food I made tonight looked like that. Because believe me...it was FAR from being that good. However, I think I'm still batting .800. Not too shabby!

Big thanks to the Vreeland Clinic for stopping by the studios this morning to chat about the program I am on, and they gave me great advice when it comes to my weekly weight loss goals. If you heard them on the air this morning, you had to have heard in their voices how they essentially are my "cheerleaders" in the goals I have set for myself, while directing me down the right path in making sure I change my eating habits. They have an AWESOME special going on right now for the first 10 people to sign up for the next three months...so stop in (or call them) and sign up. Join me on this journey! Believe me...you won't regret it.

Tomorrow...I am heading to Sterns Quality Produce in White River Junction to pick up more produce for the rest of this week as I'm running low on fruits for the morning. Let me tell ya...the prices on the produce at Sterns is UNBEATABLE. And the quality of the produce is also UNBEATABLE!! So tomorrow I'll blog about my journey there, and what some of the great deals are.

That's it for tonight...but for now...

PUT DOWN THAT FRIED OREO...

DON'T DO IT...

(actually, I wonder what happens when you fry asparagus...hmmm...)

Hasta De La Manana!!

The Road to "Svelteness"...DAY 1

OK...Well...maybe this really isn't DAY 1...

Maybe I am starting this blog two weeks into the "game"...

BUT...it's better late than never!! (Plus...I wanted to make sure I didn't fall off the wagon only one week in. Do you realize how tempting a can of soda can be after not having one for two weeks? Ever take chocolate cake from a fat kid? Well...thats me...)

Oh...well I guess I should first introduce myself to those of you who don't know me and feel the need to follow a complete stranger who you have never encountered in your life. My name is Justin Clapp...but my "alias" is Justin Tyler. You see a long time ago...in a land far away...I was put into the Witness Protection Program after watching someone rip the tag off of a pillow at Kohls. Ever since then, my life has never been the same.

What...you don't believe that story? Well...aren't you a smart one! LOL...Actually, I run a group of four radio stations in Upper Valley region of New Hampshire/Vermont, and I am 1/2 of the morning team known as the "Morning Showgram" on Kixx 100.5. See? This is our station below...

My wife and I celebrate our sixth wedding anniversary on September 18th of this year...and we have been fortunate to be able to raise three great sons...Austin who is 7, Brady who is 5, and Landon is 2. Here's a pic of them...minus Landon who at the time was searching for his pacifier at the time of the taking of this picture.

So...while I am going to add some humor...and FUN to my blog...the reason why I am on the "Road to Svelteness" is because of my family, and to feel better about myself.

How did this road begin you may ask? Almost a month ago, my wife and I decided it was time to change our nutrition habits, and to work as a team to lose weight. You see...coming up on September 29th I start the first week long vacation I have had in FOUR YEARS when our family heads to Disneyworld for 8 days. It's going to be a great time...filled with rides, sleeping, watching my kids have a blast, and swimming in the resort pool. Well, that last part was a great thought until it really snuck in the next morning...

POOL???

WITH THIS GUT???

DO THEY HAVE A POOL FOR JUST OVERWEIGHT "THIRTY-SOMETHINGS"???

IS THERE A CLUB I CAN JOIN...WHERE I'M NOT ONLY THE PRESIDENT, I AM ALSO A CLIENT???

Yes...that is what you call REALITY. So two weeks ago I put the plan in motion. I knew it was time to change not only my lifestyle, but also my eating habits.

Have I continued to drink soda? Nope...been off the addictive drink for two weeks now.

Candy...sweets? Nope...and now when I even think about the thought I push it to the side.

However, I have started a new stage of this diet. Three days ago, I started working with the Vreeland Clinic in Norwich, VT. 

Dr. Carrie and Dr. Cort worked with me on what my diet should consist of...what I can/can't eat...and what would work best for me. Let me tell you something...I have never felt more comfortable around two doctors than what I did on that afternoon. They made me feel like that I CAN accomplish my goals, and what I want to do can be done. So first off...big thank you to Dr. Cort and Dr. Carrie for making me feel like I can be what I want to be. (And they lasted through me having to take off my shoe AND sock during the appointment, so they must be good. How on earth can a doc go through looking at toes with each new patient?? Do they have a tip jar for just dealing with that???)

So...next step...(Phew...I might lose calories with all the steps I will go through...)

Starting tomorrow (Monday, June 6th), I will be meeting with my personal trainer for the first time for my first workout session at the CCBA in Lebanon, NH. Yup...you read that right. A Personal Trainer. Someone who will force me to do more than the 10 push ups I can do now. (And thats only if you put a bowl of chocolate that I am bobbing for cherries out of). While I know that the workouts, at times, will make me want to cry into a towel and scream for my mom, I do know of one thing. It will be worth it. It will be worth it for my own mind and being. It will be worth it for my wife and kids who show me support every day. And...well...it will be worth it for the people at the Disneyworld pool in late September who won't need to worry about watching an Albino Killer Whale walking into their pool.

So...here's the deal with this blog...I will be posting on here on a daily basis. Sometimes it might just be a paragraph long. Sometimes it might turn into a chapter book that makes Michael Crichton jealous. No matter how long it is...I can guarantee one thing. That I hope to not only make myself proud, but you as well. I hope you'll be able to follow my journey along the way...have some fun...shed some tears...and I hope I'll be able to give you some motivation in the long run as well. 

Well...I think that's it for Blog "1". Until next...

OH...WAIT A MINUTE...

YOU NEED A "BEFORE" PICTURE OF ME. LOL...Get ready...I bet you haven't seen this much white in your life since NBA Basketball in the 80's. 

Ready?

YOU SURE???

Alright...well...here you go...

What? You don't think I need to lose some weight? Look at the rolls I have on my stomach. No one needs speed bumps like that!

Fine...fine. I'll get to the real "me". And, honestly, I'm not ashamed of this pic. Because in 3 months...things will look MUCH different...

There you go...thats me. All 228 lbs of pure Justin. Am I making you jealous?

And the "Road to Svelteness" begins here. Glad you have become a passenger. I'll be your Captain for this journey. And when we get to the "Final Destination", I hope the entire trip has made an impact on your life.

I know it will for mine.