Macy, Our New Kitty

Ok guys and girls,

I know it has been 12 days since my last post and for that I am sorry. Recently, as you know I had to put my pet "EC" down, and we have been looking for a new edition to bring home to "Tigger". For those of you who don't know those for a season are our two little kids of the furry four footed persuasion. Well on Friday, we brought home "Macy", a cute little 5 month old tabby from Petsmart. She greeted us with lots of love and purring and bad gas at 3:30 in the morning. Yesterday, my wife and I celebrated our 6th year of marriage and we came home to a broken bottle of red wine all over the breakfast dining room floor. We laughed, had her take a drunk driving test and tried to make her walk in a straight line. Looks like she was celebrating our anniversary too. Anyway, we're happy to have her and she has been a lot of fun. Hopefully we will be able to create some new memories with Macy, and next time the wine gets put away. . . and as cheesy as it is for me to say "We caught her red pawed"!

As for the weight, it still gradually coming off. I bounce back in forth from time to time, but I'm not giving up. Once the holidays pass, I will be able to buckle down and really shed the rest of my unwanted pounds so that I can be a real dad one day!!

Remember that life begins when you start living,
Erik W. Chase

Weight loss is not easy. . . You're Telling Me

Guys and Gals,

Today was a sad day. . . I had to put my pet down! When we are sad, we have to remember that eating our problems away is not the answer! Sure, right now I crave eating a bag of chips or anything unhealthy. . . but that will not replace what was lost. . . and the only thing that I will gain in return is. . . you guessed it. . . more weight! My pet will be missed for my wife and I do not have children yet, but I have to stick with the plan to shed these unwanted pounds!

Okay, so I have a sensitive side. . . So What!!! I am also not a quitter. . . at least not any more!!

By the end of this month I want to break the 300lb mark!!! I will do it, and when I do it will be for me!!

Thanks guys and gals for your support
I'm sorry that I don't have much to write about today. . . but tune in next time!!

Remember life begins when you start living

Rest in Peace
E.C. "Ecclesiastes" Chase
12-9-09

where do I go from here

Today, I found out that all of my blood work was normal. . . so why can't I have children with my wife? I don't know, but I do know that God is in control! I have made a lot of mistakes in my life and as I am writing this post, I'm overhearing a women talking about God's divine healing! Wow! I needed to here that! Do you have faith like a mighty mustard seed? Or. . . do you lose hope? I prefer the first rather than the last! So what if I have to take more tests. So what if I have to keep on living a healthier lifestyle. To all things that get in the way, so what! Because I don't deal with so whats, I deal with the belief that faith is the substance of things hoped for. . .the evidence of things yet seen! I am still losing weight, I feel great, and God will restore what the locusts has taken away! So, I will continue to believe until my last breath. . . that. . . I will be healed!!

And. . . the coolest thing about this whole experience is that. . . I'm not alone!! Continue with the weight loss journey, and be the person you want to be!

Sidewalk Prophets has a song out called "Words I Would Say" about faith!!

We are all called to do great things
We should never give up hope
God does have a plan for us
Forgive and Forget
But. . . don't forget why we're here. . .
Do you know what your purpose is in life?
I do! I hope that my story will inspire the lives of others. . . and. . . together we can become the greatest gifts that we were intended to be!

Until next time,
never give up hope
and. . . remember that life starts when you start living!

Erik W. Chase "Kyle's Biggest Loser"

337, chug a lug a choo choo

Hey guys and gals, sometimes you feel like the little engine that could. That's me. When hard times affect our daily lives, it's so easy to get off track. . . but sticking with a plan and never giving up enables you to enter into the tunnel of success. Our bodies work the same way, doctors reccommend that we eat a balanced diet, exercise, remove all levels of stress, and get the required amount of sleep per night. With the holidays fast approaching, it's easy to get off schedule and often times we find ourselves spinning our gears in all kinds of different directions. . . but all things are possible.

With Thanksgiving, I thought that I may have put on some weight. . . of course, I indulged in some holiday treats. . . but as I have mentioned earlier, a game plan for healthy living is essential in healthy weight loss. So I cut down the portions that I normally would eat during this holiday time, and I am pleased to say that I have lost more weight. I now weigh 337 lbs. I know it's only a pound from the last post, but it feels great knowing that I did not gain. The battle of the bulge still continues. . . yet. . . I'm conquering it every day. I'm seven pounds away from being able to weigh on a household scale, and you forget the small things that many people take for granted. Just the other day, my wife and I went to a restaurant. Now, normally I would be uncomfortable sitting at the booth because my stomach would hang over the table. Not anymore! Enjoy your milestone successes, it will keep you motivated and accountable to your continued weight loss journey!

Healthy living until next time
and remember that life starts when you start living!!

Erik W. Chase "Kyle's Biggest Loser"

338 lbs, What a relief

Hey guys and gals,

After walking 4 miles this week and watching what I ate. . . you guessed it. . . I did it! I broke the 340lb barrier! I now weigh 338 lbs!! How awesome, I can see myself becoming the man that I am suppose to be. With a little will power, a lot of effort, and even more faith. . . I can conquer my issues with weight once and for all. I'm finally on a routine of trying to walk 2 miles a day, and now that I'm on a schedule, the workouts are going by so much easier! One day, I'll be able to run and jump and play with my kids!

Recipe of the Day:

Loaded Mashed Cauliflower

4 cups of cauliflower-fresh or frozen
1 cup of shredded Colby Jack Cheese
2 to 4oz of low-fat sour cream
2 tablespoons of real bacon bits
1 tablespoon of butter
Cook the cauliflower for about 15 to 25 minutes, or until tender
Mash the cauliflower, and add all of your ingredients and you have a healthy substitute for mashed potatoes. . . and who knew that losing weight would taste so good!!

Thanks for all of your support,
Until next time, continue on with your personal weight loss journey. . .and. . . remember that life begins when you start living!!

Erik Chase

Walking is so much fun

Hey Guys and Gals,



I just want to take the time to tell you that the holidays are coming. . . and what a great way to take off those unwanted pounds then to walk. Walking builds endurance and stamina. It's a great way to get your heart pumping. . . and here in Texas. . . this is the best time of year to take a stroll in the park. The weather is so gorgious right now, and inspiration comes from when you're looking at the amazing wonders that God has done. Today, as I was walking, I saw a monarch butterfly. . . and. . . it reminded me how how transformation comes from within. We have to almost go into a coccoon like state in order to be able to spread our beautiful wings. I'm still losing weight and with the added exercise routine I am feeling really good. I'm wanted to get down to around 330 or so by next week so that I can enjoy a nice Thanksgiving dinner!! Yum!!



By the way, treating yourself once in a while is okay. Most dieticians and doctors recommend that you do that so that you don't get bored with routine. Also, when you do have a treat make sure that you have hit your caloric burn before you have that savory treat. That way you can budget in that treat. I know if you think of food like money, you will not only lose pounds on the scale, but you will also put money into your wallet. Think about it. . . eating out three to four times a week can add up to 300 to 400 dollars a month. That can be money that goes toward paying off a credit card, put into savings, take a vacation, or buy a new outfit for the new you!!



Remember it pays to be healthy



Weight loss to date 340, come on 339. . .338. . .337. . . and so on!!



Keep on shedding those pounds. . . and . . . until next time!



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Erik's Acting Corner

God Bless

Weight loss update

Hey guys and gals,

It's good to see that I have some followers now. Well as you know, Abby Rike is off the show, but wow what an amazing transformation. 80 pounds to date, and she is inspiring and motivating people to lose the weight. And, thanks for the support on my own journey, I may not have the show to be on in front of millions of people, but I still have a voice. My blog has been a blessing for me because I can journal my weight loss victories and triumphs.

I will be changing the format of my blog, and yes it will still be erik's acting corner, but I will change the format to talk about weight loss and food addictions. I want to hear people's triumphs, struggles, and everything in between of how they are fighting the good fight against the demon of obesity. For years I have been an obese person, and when watching this season about second chances on NBC's The Biggest Loser, I'm reminded of how God gives us chance after chance after chance. I remember how good it felt in 2003 when I had lost 140 pounds, and then how bad I felt when I gained it back again. I think that's what led me to trying out for the show back in July. It took three to four weeks of me feeling sorry for myself and dealing with rejection again, for me. . . to realize. . . that I didn't need a tv show to lose the weight.

Although the journey since August 4th has been a tough one, I'm encouraged everyday to take the weight off. So in September when the new season of "The Biggest Loser" kicked off, and I saw Abby Rike who I know of from a fellow co-worker, I was more intrigued than ever to get slim. I may never be skin and bones, but I'm working on making right decisions to have a healthier life. So here's what everybody is waiting for. . . the weight loss to date. . . well . . . when I started this process back in August I weighed in at 390 pounds, and now. . . I am proud to say that I am 341. I have lost 49 pounds and about 10 inches in my waist. I now wear a size 44" pant from a 54" waist!!

Thank you once again for all of the support
If this blog encourages you, tell your friends. . . I need followers. . . I want to hear people's weight loss success stories.

Thank God for Second Chances,

Tune in next time for another exciting blog from Erik's Acting Corner!!!