Matty's Monthly Update - October 2006

It's that time again. Fall is officially here and winter is definitely right around the corner. Mowed my lawn for the last time yesterday, a sad day indeed. I am looking forward to winter, ready to get the workouts from snow shoveling.

We went out and purchased a digital scale for our home, the doctor's office that I usually weigh in at still has not gotten theirs fixed (going on 2 months now). I believe it to be fairly accurate and will be using this month's weigh-in figure as the baseline for subsequent weigh-ins. I topped the scale today at 251lbs, which is definitely the wrong direction. A 3lb gain over the past 2 months, which isn't too bad but still is not acceptable.

I have increased my jogging to 5 days a week and increased the distance by a 1/4 of a mile to 2.75mi. I am thinking on adding a walk in the evenings to the schedule, my puppy (BIG puppy) Celine probably could use a workout and since I will get the major exercise out of the way during the day I can slow my pace for her in the evenings.

A few other plusses to add to my monthly report:

- I received a letter from the Surgeon General of Michigan commending me on my weightloss and an offer to be an article in a "Michigan Steps Up" newsletter. I forwarded my contact information, so we will see how that pans out. (see http://photos.yahoo.com/mvanderplow for scans of the letter and other awards)

- I was recently honored by the West Michigan Character First! Council for my weightloss efforts. I received a recognition award for self-control. I ended up in the paper:

http://hollandsentinel.com/stories/101306/local_20061013008.shtml

(username: hatereg password: 123456)

- Nancy was gracious enough to pass my name and information on to a contact at the Grand Rapids Press. I have an interview set for next week, it will be a part of the health and fitness column with a chance for the article to be a front page story on the Lakeshore edition!

- A few weekends ago I had the chance to be a part of the Toastmasters area humorous speech contest. It was an exciting and interesting opportunity and I won 2nd place with a chance to compete in the southwest division contest in Portage, MI. Unfortunately I cannot attend, but just having the opportunity to go is enough for me.

- My YouTube video project is in full swing, I've been posting episodes of my web show "The Fattening of America" and they have created quite a stir, garnering between 50 and 70 viewings so far. I have also posted my latest speech on accountability, feel free to check them out:

http://www.youtube.com/user/phatteningphilms

- I have 6 speeches under my belt at Toastmasters with 4 more to go before I receive my CTM designation (hopefully I will receive that before the end of the year!). Toastmasters has been invaluable towards my path of becoming an inspirational speaker. Check them out:

http://www.toastmasters.org

- The date is set for my first paying gig as a motivational speaker. I have been added to the winter catalog of events for Holland Hospital, which should be printing shortly. Of course the pay is in the form of a gift certificate, but hey not too bad for my first gig!

Keep me and my family in your thoughts and prayers, I have a few health items to deal with and have been overwhelmed by the attention I have gotten for my efforts. Pray for direction and also for more speaking engagements to come through, if you know of any organization looking for a motivational or inspirational speaker, my email is mattyspeaks@yahoo.com.



Matty (I weighed more than Jared from Subway)481/251/225(starting weight/current weight/goal weight)

First mini goal achieved - 104lbs lost 10/26/04Second mini goal achieved - 137lbs lost 01/28/05Third mini goal achieved - 183lbs lost 09/30/05Fourth mini goal achieved - 204lbs total lost 01/30/06Fifth mini goal achieved - 233lbs total lost by 08/31/06Sixth mini goal - 256lbs total lost by 02/24/2007

Looking forward...

"No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven." Phil 3:13,14 NLT


Got a digital scale last night. Needed to as the scale I use at the doctor's office has been broken for the past 3 weeks. My worst fears have been confirmed, I gained 7lbs over the past 7 weeks. I know again that I really cannot compare readings between the two scales, but I tend to think that this is an accurate reading since it is in line with what the traditional beam scales showed.

Having this scale is going to be a good thing. I will be able to monitor my weekly progress, on my fitness program loading screen it said that in a study 75% of those who weighed weekly maintained their weight loss.

Am I a little, teensy bit depressed? Sure, but I will continue to press on towards the goal...

CHARACTER FIRST

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/stories/101306/local_20061013008.shtml





"SELF-CONTROL: Character First representative Nancy DeBoer, right, presents Matthew Vander Plow with a certificate of recognition for self-control Thursday morning. Vander Plow was recognized for his two-year weight control effort, resulting in the loss of more than 200 pounds without the use of drugs or surgery."

From the Department of Community Health

Mr. Vander Plow,
Thank you so much for writing to the Governer about your great accomplishments using lifestyle changes, and further, for offering to reach others as an "ambassador" for Michigan Steps Up.

Governer Granholm and I extend to you our heartfelt congratulations, Matthew. That you have been able to lose 230lbs by moving more and eating better - two of the three "pillars" of Michigan Steps Up - is truly remarkable. I am not surprised that Richard Simmons as well as your local newspaper have chosen to honor you.

The fact is: you already are an ambassador for Michigan Steps Up, in how you are living your life each day and setting such an inspiring example for others. But we do want to take you up on your offer to do more! With your permission, we would like to consider you as a personal story for an upcoming profile in our Michigan Steps Up newsletter, Steps Up-To-Date.

I have already passed along your letter and media clips to my Communications Coordinator, Tiffany Baker, who will be in touch with you about the next steps. If you would, could you please send a convenient email address and/or phone number to **** or contact my office at **** with this information?

Again, many thanks for all you are doing for your own health, and by example, for the health of countless Michigan residents. Thank you for writing!


Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom, MD, MS
Michigan Surgeon General
Michigan Department of Community Health