Double century baby!

Apr 01, 2009

Hello Everyone,   I realize it’s been a while since I have posted anything and I hit a major milestone yesterday, so it’s about time. As of yesterdays weigh in I have officially lost 200 pounds. My goal is in sight and I am so excited. I can’t begin to describe how different I feel. Imagine, having 4 of the huge 50 pound bags of dog food laid on top you, that’s the equivalent of the weight that’s come off of me. I am a brand new man. I don’t feel like I have physical limitations anymore. I can walk at a normal pace, I can run, I can climb stairs without being out of breath. I can sit in a theatre seat comfortably, can buy clothes in a normal store, and can ride a carnival ride without worrying about being too big for the seatbelt. I know these actions sound like every day things to a normal person. However when you are as big as I was.. these things get taken away.   My work outs lately have been awesome. I’m finally to the point where I can work out as hard as I can and not feel like I’m about to kill over. When I’m doing my cardio I get in this zone where I just want to push my body harder and harder (almost need to watch it because I drive my heartbeat so high). I probably look like a madman because I listen to really heavy music when I do this, and I silently scream along with the music. But I don’t care.. it’s great stress relief.   It’s now time to take it up a notch… to work my butt off to finish the work I started back in November 07. I’ve got to get focused and really dedicate myself to eating the right foods, taking all my supplements, and developing a cardio/weight lifting plan to help me get to where I want to be physically. I aspire to join the Navy so I must be no more then 25% body fat or weigh more then 211 to qualify.. so I’ve got some work to do.   I thank God for giving me my health back, for saving me from the health problems that were inevitable if I continued of the path I was on. I also thank him for doing the same for me with my spiritual life. He has truly saved me from myself. As I seek his face, he will continue to remove all of my junk that holds me back from living the life that I was meant to live.   Praise be to you lord Jesus for dying for me.. so that I may be set free!
3 comments

It's been a while... Gallbladder is no more

Oct 10, 2008

Just took a look at my page and realized I have not posted anything since August! Lot's of stuff going on in my camp.

I had to have my gallbladder removed last week! Almost two weeks ago I sat down on the couch to unwind for the night and started getting terrible stomach pains. They were really intense and radiated straight through my back. Lauren rushed me to the ER, and the next morning during an ultrasound they found out I had gall stones. Later that afternoon the surgeon who did my bypass removed my gallbladder. I pray this solves the issues because I never want to feel that pain in my stomach again! I'm recovering well and was able to go back to work after a week and a half. I can't lift weights for 6 weeks. That bums me out, but I'll get back on it after I heal up completely.

Weight loss is still going well still. As of today I've dropped 168 pounds. I saw some family members last weekend that I had not seen since Easter and they were really impressed with my progress. My wife's grandfather told me he was proud of me. That meant a lot because he's always kind of made comments about my size.

Thing's are a bit crazy on the home front. Our house has been on the market for about 3 months now. Finally we got a solid offer and signed a contract this week. Now it's just up to the bank to accept the offer terms and we are finally done with the house. We also found a great apartment/fourplex this week. We took over someones lease, so we are in the process of getting it all cleaned up and move in ready.

Just so busy.. Moving, selling a house. Lauren's birthday is this Sunday, going to be in a wedding on Saturday the 18th, attending another wedding on the 25th. Fall festival on the 30, then my birthday... WHEH!!

After all this Lauren and I have to take a break. .I really want to lay low this holiday season.. take it easy.. and just enjoy my family.

Well that's about it for now.

Bless you all!!

Eric

Update on my progress

Aug 05, 2008

Hello All! I posted my first before and after picture today. The first picture was taken before I had my bypass surgery in November 2007, the second was taken yesterday about 8 months later. I’ve lost over 150 pounds so far and I’m feeling great. I’m weight training 3 days a week now, and do at least an hour of cardio on the days I don’t lift. I feel so much better now, and feel so blessed that I’ve had the opportunity to regain my health. I will continue to push forward, for my health, my family, and my self. I’ve only begun on this journey and I’m excited to see were it will take me!


Proud member of the century club

Mar 27, 2008

I hit my 100 pound mark last week! I'm so excited. Things are still progressing very well. I'm losing on average around 2 to 3 pounds a week and it's really starting to show. Clothes I purchased at the beginning of the year are starting to get too big for me, and pants I just got a couple of weeks ago are now a size too big. I hate wearing a belt, but I'm just going to have to suck it up and wear one because I really can't afford to buy new pants every two weeks.

I really starting to enjoy working out, I'm going to the gym 5 to 6 times a week now and I'm starting to ramp up my work outs. I'm now able to do a full hour of cardio non stop, and I eventually want to start running so I'm running part of the time I'm on the treadmill. I want to be able to run at least a mile. So far I've been able to run 1/4 of a mile. Today I'm gonna try running 1/2 a mile.

This week I'll complete my first stage of my weight training. The first stage my trainer set up was just kind of breaking me in and getting my body used to lifting weights. Basically a lot of reps with low weight. Next week I meet with Ty and he's going to test my strength and help me develop a new program that will help me tone. and continue to build muscle.

That's pretty much my progress for now. Elijah and Lauren are doing great. Elijah's growing very fast and his little personality is really starting to show. He's a very independent baby!

Take care and god bless... Eric 


Elijah's here!

Feb 27, 2008

Elijah Greye Henriksen was born on February 7th 2008 at 8:15 PM, he weighed 7 pounds and 7 ounces and was 20 inches long. Lauren and I are just so in love with the little guy. He's so awesome, and he looks just like me! Things were a little rough the first couple of weeks. But now that we have gotten him on a feeding schedule, and have addressed his upset tummy issue, things are going well. I’m such a proud papa!

I took a couple of weeks off work so I could spend time with Lauren and the baby, and since I was doing night duty I was not able to go to the gym for a couple of weeks due to being so tired. But I'm back at it now, and have kicked up my routine to 6 days a week. I am alternating between Cardio one day and weights the other.

So far l've lost 85 pounds, and have gone down 3 shirt sizes and 4 pant sizes, and I'm feeling really good. I can honestly say I'm in the best shape I've ever been in my life. My weight loss has slowed a bit, but I’m told that normal. So I’m just gonna keep at it until I reach my goal. I will not give up! 

I have my 3 month post op appointment with my surgeon next week. I will post and let yall know how it goes. 

Until then take care and god bless!

 


It's been a while

Jan 07, 2008

I was 2 month post op as of yesterday and things are really going great. I've dropped around 60 pounds so far, and I'm down  two pant and shirt sizes. People are really starting to notice my weight loss and it feels good to hear peoples encouraging words. I'm going to the gym around 3 times a week, and I'm really starting to enjoy my work outs, I'm telling you.. the feeling after you work out can be addictive. I've been cleared to lift weights now, so I'm going to start a weight routine this week. I got a really good book on weight lifting for Christmas and I think it will really help me reach my fitness goals. I've also met a guy at work who is a personal trainer, and he' offered to work with me once or twice a month to help me build a workout plan.

Though I continue to lose weight.. I have to admit I've been eating some junk here lately. I don't gorge myself by any means, but I will have a piece some candy now and then, and over the holidays I had a couple of desserts. I've really got to develop some will power and just resist the stuff I know I don't need in my body. I know you can't deny yourself completely, and I'll probably have some dark chocolate once a week, but sweets in between have gota go.

In other news my son is due any time now! Lauren and I are so excited, and I just can't wait to see and hold my little guy. My family motivates me to strive for more in life, and his birth is going to kick my motivation into full gear. I'm going back to college this year and this time I'm sticking to it, so I can make an even better life for my family.

Well that's about it for now. Take care and until next time, know that Jesus Christ loves you!


I'm so thankful

Nov 21, 2007

I'm so thankful all has gone well with the surgery. I have had no complications to date, and I'm on my way to eating solid foods again. I'm trying new things every day and have had success so far with, mashed potatoes, eggs, cheese, refried beans, hummus, cream of wheat, mashed avocado, cheese its, pretzels, salmon, and tuna fish. Tomorrow is thanksgiving so I' going to step out of the box a bit and try some turkey and see how it goes.

Now back to being thankful. I am SOOOO thankful I had the opportunity to have weight loss surgery. I know this is just the beginning of the journey but I've already lost around 30 pounds so far and I so stoked!! For once in my life my weight is going down on a consistent basis and I can't be happier. All the pain from the surgery, and the sacrifices I now have to make due to the surgery are all worth it. I'm so thankful to have a loving family. I have a wife that adores me, and a beautiful son on the way, and I now know I will be healthy enough to be there for them for a long time.

I thank you Lord for all I have and all that you bless me with. Thank you for being such an awesome GOD!

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Be safe and don’t eat too much!


Getting Stronger

Nov 12, 2007

Four days after surgery and I'm getting stronger every day. The pain in my incisions gets a little better each day, and I'm really trying to ramp off of the pain meds. I'm holding down all of my liquids well, and I'm happy to say all my plumbing is working again =o). I'm walking for longer and longer each time. This morning I was able to walk for a full 30 minutes. I really enjoyed this morning walk the most. I brought my MP3 player and just really zoned out and I was able to talk with god a bit about some things I'm going through in my personal life. I have a problem with being obedient to the lord and letting him have control over my life. I told him today I release control because I can't do this alone anymore. Now I've got to do my part. I have to take the steps to foster a relationship with him and really listen to his voice and learn how to let him guide. I feel I've begun a major journey in my life in all ways possible, and I can say I look forward to all that’s to come.


It's all in motion

Nov 09, 2007

I had my surgery on Wednesday November 7th around 11:30 AM. Everything went well; it was kind of a surreal experience. I got to the hospital and they got me set up with my room, and about an hour after getting inn the room, the nurse came to get me for surgery. They started an Iv and then the anesthesiologist came and talked with me about my medical history, and said they would be ready for me in about 30 minutes. I spent the time waiting on them talking with my wife Lauren and a good family friend name mel. I also got to feel my baby move in Laurens stomach for the second time. Finally the time arrived for surgery.... it was freezing in the operating room. They had me slide from the bed to the operating table and then the anesthesiologist put me out. Next thing I know I wake up in the recovery room to the sound of a nurse talking about draining her old man for all his money. I had very sharp pains all through out my abdomen and I asked the nurse for some pain medicine. She complied and I then kind of dozed off and woke up when they where wheeling me back to my room. I then had to slide from the bed I was in to my bed in my room. Lauren and Mel where talking with me and said Dr. Barker said the surgery was a success. I rested in my room for a bit and around 4:45 I decided I wanted to try to walk. I walked from my room to the end of the hall and back and had no trouble. Mel went off to run some errands and Lauren stayed with me the whole time. Around 7 or so Laurens parents and my sister Courtney came to visit. I felt kind of out of it so I didn't really talk too much. The night was kind of rough, it basically involved me getting up to walk every couple of hours, the nurse giving me pain meds, and checking my vitals. I probably got 4 or 5 hours sleep total.

The next day I was feeling a bit better. They delivered my breakfast around 8 am. It consisted of some nasty chicken broth, some diet ocean spray cranberry juice, and some bottled water. The water was defiantly the best thing on the tray as I was so parched. I spent the day walking and doing my breathing on my breathing machine, and around 4:30 they decided I was well enough to go home. We had a little trouble getting my pain meds because the prescription was a photo copy and wal mart wouldn’t take it. I got a bit cranky but we where able to take it to Walgreen’s and they filled it. I went for a walk when I got home and had some broth for dinner and watched TV. I went to sleep around 11:30 and woke up at 6:30 am.

I watched TV for a bit and around 8am I got up to take my vitamins and try to have a protein shake. I had the Caribbean Cooler flavor of the Nectar Protein I purchased off of Dr. Barkers website mixed with 6 ounces of skim milk. Everything went down well and I was not nauseated at all. I spent the rest of the day walking every couple of hours, napping, watching Tv and playing shadow of the Colossus on play station. Lunch went well with a chocolate protein shake. And dinner was good with some high protein broth. I also showered and all went well with that. As far as pain goes, my abdomen is still really sore and when I stand I can feel my weight pulling on it and it hurts a bit. The pain meds help with the pain so it’s not unbearable. Overall I'd say I'm doing well and look forward to the time after my recovery.


The big day is near

Oct 07, 2007

I'm so excited. Last Friday my insurance company called and let me know they are approving my surgery! This week I went and saw my surgeon for a final consultation, and my surgery is set for 11/7/07! Exactly one month from today I will begin my journey to become a new man. This month its all about fun and celebrating life. I get to celebrate my wifes birthday this week, and the next weekend we go to the state fair, and then we are having a birthday costume party on the 27th, and October 31st two of my favorite bands, As I lay dying, and all that remains will be here in concert. Good Times!!

About Me
Location
39.7
BMI
Aug 24, 2007
Member Since

Before & After
rollover to see after photo

Friends 17

Latest Blog 11
It's been a while... Gallbladder is no more
Update on my progress
Proud member of the century club
Elijah's here!
It's been a while
I'm so thankful
Getting Stronger
It's all in motion
The big day is near

×