Ready. Set. Go!

Volleyball season is in progress!

There is a great perk growing up in any city with organized sports program. In the suburbs, parents, friends and families show up at parks and gyms armed with lawn chairs or picnic blankets to cheer on their player. My 9 year old sister is playing volleyball with the 4th grade Hawkeyes this season and my dad will be coaching her team. He will be taking care of all the Admin stuff and I will get the pleasure of running the practices and we will both share the job of managing the games. Our coaching actually came along because of the volunteer opportunities offered by the city of Eagan. They were looking for parents to coach volleyball, so we volunteered because Mina's team didn't have a coach. Lucky move on our part!



If you live in the city of Eagan, they run an amazing organized sports program staffed by a community of parents and others all done on a VOLUNTEER basis. It reminds me alot of how the church is run. It is wonderful how the helping hands of many can create such a fantastic program. You can check out the City of Eagan's sports program at:

http://www.eaasports.org/



I highly suggest you check out your local sports program in your city and see if your helping hands can make a difference in the lives of others. For my sister Mina, she has made many friends from the neighborhood, other elementary schools and local churches. It has also connected us to many of the families in the Eagan area that we see on a regular basis.

Weigh In

In one week's time, my weigh in today: 212.6 lbs - a loss of 7.2 lbs and 30% body fat - a loss of 2%. More HOTT body pics next week. lol. The workouts have been tiring but I'm staying consistent. I'm sure working out with my homey Carp is making the exercise regiments tolerable. There is a bigger goal in mind and I just have to remember that.

"Learning to endure times of disappointment, suffering, and sorrow is part of our on-the-job training. These experiences, while often difficult to bear at the time, are precisely the kinds of experiences that stretch our understanding, build our character, and increase our compassion for others."

Joseph B. Wirthlin
Ensign, Nov 2008
Me and Carp playing softball with the Ward

Working It Out - Week 1

I was inspired by a former pro football player, RM and musician from the Mana Poly All Stars, Setema Gali to start using these P90X DVDs to get myself together. His positive pep talks are pretty helpful. Luckily my good friend Carp's mother purchased the P90x DVD box set a while ago and I get to make use of it now. A little too expensive for me. Sadly, my method of going to the gym on the next block for a low impact work out and doing the lawn once a week and carrying wood logs to build backyard bonfires were not effective. My dad's daily threats to get to the gym didn't make a dent in my motivation either. Who knew?
My weight fluctuates 'like a woman' according to my dad, which is true. During football and rugby season, I kept my weight under 200lbs and stayed pretty active. After the sports seasons are done, the weight finds itself comfortably back to what I will refer to as my 'fat pockets'. I am by no means a shy kid. I believe Samoan people raise their kids to have no shame by being the first to make fun of their faults and get their kids to laugh at themselves. They are very hard on their own kids, at least that's how I was and am being raised and that's why it is not a big issue to put out these dreadful fatty pictures of myself and be truthful about the weight issues I'm having. My cousin Ferron and good friend Carp (Patrick Carpenter) are fighting the weight battle with me. Ferron is just working on getting defined, as the weight issues are not really his problem. It's good to have his support anyways.

Daily Motivation:
"The Word of Wisdom does not promise you perfect health, but it teaches how to keep the body you were born with in the best condition and your mind alert to delicate spiritual promptings."
-President Boyd K. Packer
Ensign, May 1996, Page 18

D&C 89: 18 -20
18 And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;
19 And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;
20 And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.

This week's exercise plan:
P90x workouts, 60 miles on a bike (already at 25 miles), 3 days of weight training (2 hour work outs), light jogs (still getting the knee mended), maintain healthy eating & lifestyle

Week One: 5'8", 219.8 lbs, body fat 32% DREADFUL!
Me: Baby fat? hahaha ... Monday, 10 August 2009.
Me: back view - Gotta get rid of those child rearing hips according to my mama. hahaha... she's a weirdo.

Me: front view - Poochy tummy. My knee looks uneven after surgery from 3 weeks ago.

Me: side view - My lovely baby lumps. That's no good.

Ferron: His goals physically are to become more defined. He loves working out daily.

Ferron: back view - He plays rugby and wearing a mullet is fashionable, so I cut it that way for him. Go figure!

Ferron: front view - He always leans to the side because he has bad shins and heavy feet. Seriously.

Ferron: side view - no belly fat, right? I guess he wants a 12 pack.